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Gentlemen 


COMPUTER CORPORATION 

7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 


l~ 



Enclosed is a complete replacement for your Dealer Technical 
Reference Manual. The manual has been extensively updated and 
more accurately reflects current policies and procedures. 
Dispose of the complete contents of your current manual and post 
the contents of the new manual as noted on the Table Of Contents. 
Please take the time to read the manual thoroughly. There are a 
few items which bear mention in particular below. 


The method for submitting warranty claims has been modified. 
Several copies of the new Monthly In Warranty Service Report are 
enclosed for your use. You will be resupplied with the forms as 
each monthly claim summary is submitted to Franklin. When 
submitted, this form should be supported by a copy of your own 
service report showing the service action in detail. If you do 
not currently use a service report, we will be happy to supply 
you with a suggested form to use which you can copy. Call our 
Customer Service group if you need this form. Please provide the 
information as requested. Unfortunately we find it necessary to 
return some claims to dealers each month because of improper 
documentation of the claim. 


There have been some price changes and additions to the parts 
list. Be sure to dispose of the old parts list and use only the 
new list. 

Note on the Dealer parts kit that there are three new items not 
previously listed. These are the Diagnostics, an Alignment 
Diskette, and the Dealer Technical Reference Manual. The 
Diagnostics and the Alignment Diskette will be made available to 
the current Authorized Service Centers at a one time discounted 
price of $35.00 total for both diskettes. A separate letter 
describing this offer has been sent to all Service Centers. 

If any areas of the new manual are not clear, please do not 
hesitate to call us for clarification. 


Sincerely , 


Patrick F. Santore 
Manager 

Technical Services 





FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 

7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
6QQ-4&8-1ZQ0 


TO : 

FROM: 
SUBJECT : 


AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTERS 
TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT 
DIAGNOSTIC AND ALIGNMENT DISKETE 


A new diagnostic diskette has been developed and will be made 
available exclusively to the Dealer network. These are all new 
diagnostics which have tests for all of the products currently 
manufactured by Franklin Computer Corporation. In addition, we 
will also stock and make available the Dysan a1ignment diskette 
for disk drive adjustments. The price to a Dealer will be $30.00 
for the diagnostic and $25.00 for the alignment diskette. 

For a limited time we will offer a package of both diskettes to 
existing Authorized Service Centers for a total price of $35.00 
or a $20.00 discount from the new Dealer price. To take 
advantage of this offer, send your order and payment to our 
Customer Service Department prior to July 1, 1983. 


©1983 by Franklin Computer Corporation 
7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, N.J. 08109 
609 488-1700 

This manual is copyrighted. All rights are reserved. This 
document may not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, 
reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or 
machine readable form without prior written consent, in writing, 
from Franklin Computer Corporation. 

This manual has been prepared to address two distinct and 
separate purposes. The first area of the manual, currently 
consisting of 15 Sections, contains the full range of information 
needed for an Authorized Service Center to fulfill its function. 
The second area of the manual contains the self training work 
sessions used in the Dealer Service Training Course. Both areas 
of the manual should prove useful in the day to day operation of 
your Service Center. 

We welcome any suggestions or comments on the layout and content 
of this manual. These may be sent to the above adress, ATTN: 
Technical Services Department. 



NAME 


COMPANY NAME 
ADDRESS 

CITY, STATE, ZIP 
PHONE # 

SERVICE CENTER # 
CLASS LOCATION 
CLASS TITLE 
PURPOSE 


SECTION 

1 - 

COMPONENTS 

SECTION 

2 - 

MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT 

SECTION 

3 - 

ACE 1000 DISASSEMBLY/REASSEMBLY 

SECTION 

4 - 

ACE 1200 SYSTEM 

SECTION 

5 - 

DISK 1 (MECHANICAL) 

SECTION 

6 - 

DISK 2 (TESTS AND ALIGNMENTS 
(OPTIONAL ALIGNMENTS) 

SECTION 

7 - 

OPERATING SYSTEMS 

SECTION 

8 - 

DIAGNOSTICS 

SECTION 

9 - 

TROUBLESHOOTING 

SECTION 

10 

- WARRANTY 

SECTION 

11 

- DEFECTIVE MATERIAL TAG 


COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS: 


SIGNATURE: 


TITLE : 



( 




FRANKLIN COMPUTER CORPORATION 
7030 COLONIAL HIGHWAY 
PENNSAUKEN, N.J. 08109 

609 488-1700 


DEALER SERVICE MANUAL 


1 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 


SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION 

GEN-001 FCC Service Center 

SECTION 2 - PROCEDURES 

PRO-OOl Warranty Service Report 

PRO-002 Parts Order Procedure 

PRO-003 Defective Material Tag 

PRO-004 Parts Return Procedure 

SECTION 3 - WARRANTY REPAIR 

WAR—001 Warranty Policies and Procedures 

SECTION 4 - NON WARRANTY REPAIR 

NWA-001 Non-Warranty Policies and Procedures 

SECTION 5 - SERVICE CENTER INVENTORY 

INV-001 Service Center Inventory Requirement 

INV-002 ACE Computer Parts Kit 

INV-003 Floppy Disk Subsystem Parts Kit 

SECTION 6 - DEALER SPARE PARTS LIST 

DPA-001 ACE Computer Dealer Parts List 

SECTION 7 - RETAIL PARTS LIST 

RPA-001 ACE Computer Retail Parts List 

SECTION 8 - ACE 100/1000/1200 TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETINS 

AC1-001 EPROM Revision Levels 

AC 1-002 FRANKLIN/APPLE Keyboard Differences 

AC1-003 I.C. Specification for Motherboard 

AC1-004 230V, 50HZ Conversion 

AC1-005 I.C* Specification for Colorboard 

SECTION 9 - ACE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS 

SECTION 10 - DISK SUBSYSTEM THEORY OF OPERATION 

SECTION 11 - DISK SUBSYSTEM TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETINS 

DSK-001 Floppy Disk Analog Modification 

DSK-002 ACE 10 Subsystem Alignment Procedures 


2 



SECTION 12 - SOFTWARE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETINS 

SOF-OOl AppleWriter Modification 

SOF-002 MUSE Supertext Modification 

SECTION 13 - MISC. HARDWARE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETINS 

HWR-001 Videx 80 Column Video Card 


3 



MONTHLY IN-WARRANTY SERVICE REPORT 



SERVICE DEPARTMENT 





















TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN #: 
SUBJECT: FCC 


GEN-001 

Service Center 


DATE: 05/15/82 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


1. OBJECTIVES 

The Franklin Computer Corporation Customer Service Program is 
intended to provide a range of services to the dealer network and 
,through the dealers, to the end user of the ACE Computer. These 
services include the following: 

A. Technical training on the full line of Franklin 
Computer products. 

B. A repair parts complement which will enable the dealer 
to properly service the population of ACE Computers and 
peripherals in his service area. 

C. Administrative tools and services which are necessary 
to provide quality service to the end user. 

D. A Warranty Program which will allow the dealer to make 
a good profit on his warranty service. 

E. A Non-Warranty Program which will allow the dealer to 
make a good profit on his non-warranty service. 

In addition to these services, Franklin Computer Corporation will 
provide information, suggestions, and any other assistance which 
will help the dealer gain additional profits for his service 
operation and also provide the best possible service to the ACE 
Computer end user. 

2. DEFINITION OF AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER 

The Franklin Computer Corporation Authorized Service Program is 
designed to operate in two phases as follows: 

A. Local Service Center - The Local Service Center is to 

be the normal contact for an end user. Emphasis is to 

be placed on speed and quality of service. Repairs are 
generally to be made by module replacement. Alignments 
and adjustments on some assemblies will also be made. 

B. Depot Service Center - The Depot Service Center will be 

the normal contact for the Local Service Center. Parts 

and modules will be stocked and will be provided to the 
Local Service Center on an exchange or purchase basis. 
A technical hot line will be available for use by the 


dealers' technical staff. Currently the only depot 
level service centers are those operated directly by 
Franklin Computer Corporation. 

3. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER 

All ACE Computer Dealers are required to become Authorized 
Service Centers in order to insure quality and responsive sales 
and service to the end user. The Dealer will be notified by the 
Technical Services Department on the training schedule in the 
nearest Regional Service Center. The requirements for the 
completion of this training and certification as an Authorized 
Service Center are as follows: 

A. At least one person per Authorized Service Center 
location must attend technical training classed on the 
ACE Computer and accessories. Schedules for these 
classes will be published as necessary. 

B. Purchase the Authorized Service Center spare parts 
complement. This spares kit will include module level 
replacements, component level replacements, Dealer 
diagnostics diskettes, and an Authorized Service Center 
Procedures Manual. A detailed list and prices of the 
spares kit is listed in Section 5. 

C. Additional spares purchases may be required if the 
Dealer is authorized for sales of future Franklin 
Computer Products. 

4. AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER NUMBER 

On appointment as a Local Service Center, a dealer will be 
assigned a service center number. This number will be used when 
applying for warranty service compensation, returning modules for 
repair or replacement, and any interface between the dealer and 
Franklin Computer Corporation Customer Service Department. The 
proper use of this number will insure the timely reimbursement to 
the dealer on warranty repairs and the shipment to the dealer of 
replacement modules. 


2 




TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




BULLETIN #: PRO-001 

SUBJECT: Warranty Service Report 


DATE: 03/15/83 


FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 

7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


1. WARRANTY SERVICE REPORT DEFINITION 

The Franklin Computer Corporation Warranty Service Report is the 
only form used for initiating warranty compensation for the 
authorized ACE dealer. Information developed from the document 
also allows Franklin to track failure rates of various products 
to determine potential problem areas and to forecast resource 
needs. The information is also used to audit the quality of 
service provided by the ACE Dealer. Therefore the customer name, 
full address, date of purchase, and model and serial number must 
be provided on the form. Proper use of this document by the 
dealer is essential in fulfilling these requirements. 

A sample of the Monthly In-Warranty Service Report is shown on 
the next page. 

2. COMPLETING THE REPORT 

In order to assist Franklin Computer Corporation in properly 
administering the warranty program, it will be the Dealer's 
responsibility to: 

a. Submit fully documented claims 

b. Submit totally accurate claims 

c. Submit claims on a timely basis 

Forms are to be completed monthly and submitted to Franklin 
Computer corporation no later than the 5th of the following 
month. Claims received after that date will be processed the in 
the next monthly period. Claims are to be sent to: 

Franklin Computer Corporation 
7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, N.J. 08109 

ATTN: WARRANTY ADMINISTRATION 

3. DOCUMENTATION OF CLAIMS 

To be eligible for payment, all in-warranty labor claims must be 
supported as follows: 

a. A copy of the Service Center's Repair Report should be 
submitted with the claim form 



b. A copy of the purchaser's sales receipt for the unit 
being repaired or confirmation from FCC Warranty 
Administration that the warranty is valid. This can be 
obtained by telephone if necessary. 


2 



TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 



BULLETIN #: PRO-002 

SUBJECT: Parts Order Procedure 


DATE: 06/15/82 


FRANKLIN 

I COMPUTER CORPORATION 

7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


1. OVERVIEW 

Modules used by the Service Center during the course of warranty 
repair are exchanged by Franklin Computer Corporation for new or 
working repaired units. 

Discrete parts used for warranty repairs are credited to the 
Service Center's account at Dealer net cost. These credits are 
based on information submitted by the Dealer on the Monthly In- 
Warranty Service Report. 

There will be occasions when a Dealer will find it necessasry to 
purchase modules and parts in order to: 

a. Increase the Dealer's stock in hand. 

b. Replace a module which has been damaged so as to not 
qualify for the module exchange program. 

c. Replace parts sold to an end user. 

Parts orders should be made on the Service Center's Purchase 
Order or stationery. The order should be dated and signed by one 
of the Dealership Principals. 

The minimum dollar value for a parts order is twenty five dollars 
($25.00) at Dealer net. 

2. PARTS ORDERING INFORMATION 

The information outlined below is required for proper processing 
of parts orders. 

a. DATE - The date the order is submited to FCC. 

b. ORDER NUMBER - All parts orders shoud have either a 
purchase order number or reference number for 
identification. 

c. SERVICE CENTER NUMBER - This is the unique number assigned 
to your Service Center. Be certain to use the correct 
number on this and any other document or correspondence 
submitted to Franklin Computer Corporation for service or 
parts purposes . 

d. SOLD TO AND SHIP TO - The Service Center name and shipping 
address for this order. 

A complete listing of parts and modules available with dealer 
pricing can be found in Section 6 of this manual. 



TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 



BULLETIN #: PRO-003 

SUBJECT: Defective Material Tag 


DATE: 05/22/82 


FRANKLIN 

I COMPUTER CORPORATION 

7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


Modules returned to a Franklin Computer Corporation Depot must 
have a properly filled out Defective Material Tag attached. 
Failure to provide the necessary information may prevent the 
Depot from determining which Local Service Center the item came 
from or the proper disposition of the unit. 

Warranty compensation will not be made from the Defective 
Material Tag. The exclusive use of the tag is to control the 
flow of parts and modules between the Depot and the Local Service 
Center. Warranty compensation is determined from the information 
provided on the Warranty Service Report. Use of that report is 
explained in Bulletin # PRO-001. 

The layout of the Defective material tag is shown on the 
following page and a detailed explanation of each item in the tag 
is as follows: 

A. Date - The date the repair was accomplished. 

B. Service Center Name - The service center name as 
registered with Franklin Computer Corporation. 

C. Local Service Center Number - The number assigned to 
your service center. Use care in the use of this 
number. An unreadable or incorrect number may result 
in the replacement module being sent to the wrong 
service center. 

D. Customer Name 

E. Service Center telephone number 

D. Model Number - The model number of the parent unit, as 
in Franklin ACTS 100. 

E. Serial Number - The serial number of the parent unit, 
i.e. ACE 100 * 

F. Assembly Number - The product number of the assembly 
being returned. These product numbers are listed in 
the service center spare parts kit, Bulletin // ?. 

G. Assembly Serial Number - The serial number of the 
assembly being returned. 

H. Type of Service - Indicate type of service provided. 
Possible types of service are: 



a. Warranty 

b. Non-warranty exchange 

c. Non-warranty repair and return 

d. DOA store stock 

If Warranty Service, the purchase date must be shown to 
qualify the module for the exchange program. If this 
date is not provided, the replacement module will be 
shipped as a non-warranty exchange. 

I. Problem - Describe the problem in as much detail as 
possible. Indicate diagnostic failures if applicable 
and configuration of machine. 


If you are returning a module from a DOA stock unit, be sure to 
note that in the TYPE OF SERVICE box and list the date the unit 
was received from Franklin Computer Corporation or a distributor. 

The Defective Material Tag is supplied as a single part form. 
The removable tag is for your record of shipment while the 
remaining part is to be attached to the defective module with the 
string provided. 


2 




3 




TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


7030 Colonial Hiqhway 

BULLETIN #: PRO-004 DATE: 05/18/82 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 

SUBJECT: MODULE RETURN PROCEDURE 609-488-1700 


MODULE RETURNS 

1. Use an exchange module from your dealer spares kit to effect 
the necessary repair on the ACE computer. 

2. Fill out the Defective Material Tag as explained in Bulletin 

# PRO-003. Be certain this tag is properly filled out. 

Failure to do so could result in the depot not shipping an 
exchange module to replace the unit you used. Attach the 
tag securely to the defective module. Remove the tag stub 
for your record of shipment. The primary portion of the tag 
will be retained by the Depot. 

3. Pack the defective module in the box the exchange module was 
removed from. 

4. Ship the defective module to: 

Franklin Computer Corporation 
7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, N.J. 08109 
ATTN: TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPT. 

Customer Service Department policy requires priority shipment on 
exchange modules. We will in most cases ship replacements within 
48 hours after receiving a defective module in the depot. If 
you do not receive your exchange module in a reasonable time, 
call Customer Service to check on the status of the unit. Please 
have available your service center number and the Repair/Return 
Tag number to expedite tracing of the unit. 

Warranty compensation is not made from the module replacement 
program. This program is used exclusively to control the parts 
flow between the Depot and the Local Service Center. Warranty 
reimbursement is made through the information provided on the 
Service Report. See Bulletin # PRO-001 for additional 

information on this process. 






TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN #: WAR-001 DATE: 06/01/82 

SUBJECT: Warranty Policy and Procedures 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


1. OVERVIEW 

The Franklin Computer Corporation Service Plan is designed to 
provide the following benefits: 

A. An extensive network of Authorized Service Centers 
whose objective is to provide responsive local service 
to the ACE computer user. 

B. Fair compensation to the Authorized Service Center for 
his efforts in providing warranty service. 

C. Fair compensation to the Authorized Service Center for 
his efforts in providing non warranty service. 

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE WARRANTY PROGRAM 

All Franklin Computer Corporation products are sold with a 90 day 
warranty to the end use purchaser. This warranty coverage begins 
as of the date of purchase from an authorized Franklin dealer. 
See figure 3.1 for a full description of the warranty as it is 
stated on the registration card. 

3. PROOF OF WARRANTY 

The primary and recommended method of determining if a product is 
still in warranty is the customer's purchase record. This should 
be in the form of a dated receipt from an authorized Franklin 
ACE dealer. If the customer cannot provide such a receipt, the 
dealer can call the Franklin Computer Corporation Customer 
Service Department to determine if the warranty has ever been 
registered. If the purchase date cannot be verified by either 
method, the repair should be handled as an out of warranty repair 
to be paid by the customer. 

Since dealer warranty claims are checked against warranty card 
registrations, we suggest that the dealer retain a copy of the 
proof of purchase. If a dealer's warranty claim is rejected by 
Franklin Customer Service, a copy of the customer's proof of 
purchase will generally be accepted for warranty claims. 

4. WARRANTY REGISTRATION 

All Franklin Computer products are shipped with a Warranty 
Registration Card which defines the extent of warranty coverage. 
This card is shown in figure 3.1. 


The dealer should have this card filled out by the customer prior 
to completing delivery of the Franklin product. If possible, the 
dealer should mail the card at that time to insure proper 
registration of the product. Do not expect the end user to fill 
out and mail the card without your follow up. 


The purchase receipt provided to the customer should be dated and 
should list serial numbers of any Franklin products. Remember 
that this receipt will usually be the method used in determining 
if a product is still in warranty. 

5. PRODUCTS COVERED 

All products manufactured by Franklin Computer Corporation and 
labeled as such with a serial number tag and/or logo. Current 
products include the following: 

a. ACE 100 including all internal modules 

b. ACE 1000 including all internal modules 

c. ACE floppy disk subsystem including controller 

d. Repair modules installed by a Franklin Computer Corporation 
Authorized Service Center. These modules are covered for a 
period of 90 days from the date of installation by the 
repair center. Modules installed by the end user or non 
authorized dealer are not covered by this warranty. 

6. EXCLUSIONS FROM WARRANTY 

The following products and conditions are not covered by the 
Franklin Computer Corporation warranty: 

a. Any product not manufactured by Franklin. This includes but 
is not limited to I/O and peripheral cards and accessories 
interfaced to the ACE by either the dealer or the end user. 

b. Damage to or failure of an ACE product caused by a non 
Franklin product. 

c. Damage to or failure of an ACE product caused by variations 
in input power. 

d. Damage to or failure of an ACE product caused by 
environmental conditions not consistent with Franklin 
Computer Corporation published requirements. This includes 
excess heat, cold, humidity or any other condition deemed to 
be detrimental to the operation of Franklin Computer Corp. 
equipment• 

e. Damage to any component or assembly due to improper 
installation or removal of any device within or interfaced 
to a Franklin Computer product. This includes but is not 


2 



limited to damage to a disk drive or controller due to 
removal or installation with the power applied to the 
computer . 

f. Unauthorized modifications of any kind are not only not 
covered by warranty but will cause any remaining warranty on 
the product in question to be voided. 

g. Damage to or failure of any Franklin product due to software 
not provided by Franklin Computer Corporation. 

h. Damage to or failure of any Franklin product due to 
accident, misuse, or misapplication of the product. 

7. WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT POLICY 

Only athorized Franklin Computer Corporation service centers will 
receive reimbursement for any work performed on a Franklin 
product during the defined warranty period. 

Reimbursement will be based on a flat rate for each type of 
repair as defined in the rate schedule as listed in this 
Bulletin. Please note that this rate is clearly defined and is 
not flexible or variable for the number of hours required for the 
repair. The service policies of Franklin dictate that repairs be 
accomplished by isolating a problem to the modular level in most 
cases and replacing that module. This policy is intended to 
minimize the time required to effect a repair, thus saving the 
customer time and the dealer excess labor costs. 

The mechanism used to calculate refunds due each dealer is the 
Warranty Service Report. See Bulletin # PRO-OOl for an 
explanation of the proper use of this document. 

8. WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT SCHEDULE 

Authorized Service Centers will be compensated for work performed 
on Franklin ACE products during the defined warranty period. The 
compensation schedule for each type of service is as follows: 

a. DIAGNOSIS AND MODULAR, IC, OR COMPONENT REPLACEMENT 

This includes testing and replacement of any module level 
unit or component level unit as defined in the dealer parts 
list. Compensation is $30 per service session. 

b. DIAGNOSIS AND ADJUSTMENT 

This includes tests and adjustments on disk drives and 
controllers, cleaning connectors, reseating IC's, and power 
supply adjustments. Compensation is $20 per service 
session. 

c. REPLACEMENT OF CABLES, LAMPS, OR OTHER PARTS 

This includes disk or computer cables, lamps or L.E.D.'s, 
key tops or key switches. Compensation is $15 per service 


3 



session 


9. MODULE REPLACEMENTS 

Module level products used by a dealer in the performance of a 
warranty repair will be replaced by FCC on receipt of the 
defective module at the FCC Customer Service Department. See 
Bulletin Numbers PRO-003 and PRO-004 for proper use of the 
Defective Material Tag and for module return procedures 
respectively. 

10. MISCELLANEOUS PARTS REPLACEMENTS 

RAM and ROM IC's must also be returned to FCC as a module level 
product. However these and all other component items will be 
credited to the Dealer's account based on the usage indicated on 
the Monthly In-Warranty Service Report. 

NOTE: ALL PARTS USED FOR IN-WARRANTY REPAIRS SHOULD APPEAR ON 

BOTH THE DEALER'S SERVICE REPORT AND THE MONTHLY IN¬ 
WARRANTY SERVICE REPORT. 

6. PARTS AND MODULE PRICING 

For a complete list of parts and modules with pricing, see 
Section 6, DEALER PARTS LIST. The minimum acceptable parts order 
is twenty five dollars ($25.00) dealer net price. 


4 




TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 



FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN #: NWA-001 DATE: 06/02/82 

SUBJECT: Non-warranty Policies 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


1. DEFINITION AND POLICY 

The normal warranty period for products manufactured by Franklin 
Computer Corporation is 90 days from the date of purchase from an 
authorized FCC dealer. Service provided after the expiration of 
this period must be paid by the end user at the then current 
rates for time and materials used. 

While labor rates are to be determined by each individual Service 
Center, suggested rates are listed in paragraph 2 below. Module 
replacements are generally done on an exchange basis, giving a 
trade in value to the end user for the defective module. Module 
exchange rates are listed in paragraph 6. Trade in value is not 
given to component replacements, mechanical replacements, or 
items considered consumable such as lights, fuses, etc. These 
items should be sold by the Service Center at list price. 
Section 6 lists these items with the dealer and retail prices. 

FCC Authorized Service Centers will be responsible for providing 
non-warranty service to purchasers of FCC products. This is of 
benefit to the Authorized Service Center in that it is a revenue 
generating activity which will more fully utilize the technical 
capabilities of the Service Center. 

2. LABOR RATES 

Labor rates will vary significantly depending on the location of 
the Service Center and other factors. We have provided below 
what we have found to be acceptable and normal labor rates for 
major metropolitan areas. You may use these as a guideline if 


you wish. 

a. IN SHOP REPAIRS 

Diagnostics and testing with no replacements $25.00 

Module or component replacement 30.00 

Disk drive testing and adjustment 30.00 

Minor component or cable replacement 20.00 


b. REPAIRS AT CUSTOMER LOCATION 

$60.00 per hour with a 1 hour minimum charge plus expenses 
at $.28/mile, tolls and parking. For locations in excess of 
one hour travel time of the Service Center, travel time at 
the rate of $20/hour. 

These labor charges should be in addition to any charges for 
parts or modules used. 


3. EXCHANGE MODULES 

Modules replaced by a Service Center will be accepted by FCC for 
exchange for a good module of the same type if the defective 
module meets two conditions as follows: 

a. The module must not have been modified by the end user or 
dealer in any way not authorized by FCC. 

b. The module must be repairable. If damage to the module is 
excessive, causing repair to not be feasible, it will not be 
treated as a replaceable unit. The end user must purchase a 
new module in this event. For wholesale and retail pricing 
on sales of modules and parts, see Section 6 of this manual. 

If modules or entire units do not qualify for exchange or normal 
repair due to unauthorized modifications or damage as noted in 
paragraph b. above, the units will be returned to the dealer or 
repaired on a time and materials basis at the Dealer s option. 

Following is a list of exchange modules with dealer and end user 


pricing: 


ACE 1000 


PART # 

DESCRIPTION 

DEALER PRICE 

RETAIL PRICE 

1100006 

MOTHERBOARD 

$ 70.00 

$115.00 

5018500 

KEYBOARD 

45.00 

75.00 

1200009 

POWER SUPPLY 

60.00 

100.00 

1100002 

16K RAM CARD 

45.00 

80.00 


DISK SUBSYSTEM 


PART # 

DESCRIPTION 

DEALER PRICE 

RETAIL PRICE 

4018003 

DISK CONTROLLER 

$ 30.00 

$ 50.00 

1100004 

DISK ANALOG CD 

35.00 

60.00 

4018019 

DISK MECH. ASSY 

. 45.00 

80.00 


2 






TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


7030 Colonial Highway 

BULLETIN #: INV-001 DATE: 03/15/83 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 

SUBJECT: SERVICE CENTER INVENTORY REQUIREMENT 609-488-1700 


AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER INVENTORY 


Franklin Computer Corporation Authorized Service Centers are 
required to maintain a stock of spare parts to properly service 
both warranty and non-warranty repair requests. These spare 
parts are issued to the dealer in unified kits for each product 
type. As new products are released by FCC, the Service Center 
will be required to purchase parts kits to service these 
pr oduc t s • 

Each Spares Kit contains sufficient parts and modules to repair 
most of the failures a dealer service center is likely to 
encounter. Repairs can generally be accomplished with a minimum 
of tools and test equipment. A standard tool kit and a digital 
voltmeter will be sufficient for all but comprehensive disk 
alignment s. 

The quantities supplied in each kit are intended to provide 
sufficient spares to support a base of 100 units under a 
maintenance contract basis. Since many of the units you will 
repair will be walk in situations which are periodic, we suggest 
that you evaluate your needs for additional spares to support 
these units and order accordingly. 

Orders for additional spares can be placed via the PARTS ORDER 
PROCEDURE. This procedure is explained in Section 2, Bulletin 
PRO-002 of this manual. 

The Technical Information Bulletins in this section list the 
parts kits currently issued with dealer pricing. 



TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN M] 

FRANKLIN 

computer corporation 


7030 Colonial Highway 
DATE: 03/02/83 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 

609-488-1700 
*i%z - S''?*'■' 

V$ S *• c(o fc 

Vg / 3*3 

Franklin Computer Corporation authorized dealers will be required 
to purchase an ACE 1000/1200 spare parts kit upon appointment as 
an Authorized Service Center. The contents and cost of the kit 
is as follows: 


BULLETIN #: INV-002 

SUBJECT: ACE 1000/1200 PARTS KIT 


ACE COMPUTER SPARE PARTS KIT - #1000013 


PART # 

DESCRIPTION 

QUANTITY 

PRICE 

TOTAL 

1100018 

MOTHERBOARD (COLOR) 


i 

$403.99 

$403.99 

1200009B 

POWER SUPPLY 


i 

161.85 

161.85 

5018500B 

KEYBOARD 


i 

135.30 

135.30 

1300001 

SPEAKER & CABLE 


i 

14.97 

14.97 

4013531 

18" DIP CABLE 


2 

4.56 

9.12 

1331400.1 

A6 EPROM (A6) 


1 

9.87 

9.87 

1331401.2 

F8 EPROM (G2) 


1 

9.87 

9.87 

1331402.0 

F0 EPROM (G3) 


1 

9.87 

9.87 

1331403.0 

E8 EPROM (G5) 


1 

9.87 

9.87 

1331404.0 

E0 EPROM (G7) 


1 

9.87 

9.87 

1331405.0 

D8 EPROM (G8) 


1 

9.87 

9.87 

1331406.0 

DO EPROM (G10) 


1 

9.87 

9.87 

4002536.0 

4116 RAM 


8 

2.40 

19.20 

4031500 

POWER CABLE 


1 

5.16 

5.16 

4004507 

SWITCH 


2 

3.69 

7.38 

4005501 

FAN 


2 

22.55 

45.10 

4031507 

PHONO CABLE 


2 

.81 

1.62 

4034501 

CRYSTAL 


1 

1.92 

1.92 

4006700 

L . E . D . 


5 

.50 

2.50 

5022502 

BUMPER 


4 

. 30 

1.20 


DIAGNOSTIC DISKETTE 


1 

30.00 

30.00 


ALIGNMENT DISKETTE 


1 

25.00 

25.00 


TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL 

1 

30.00 

30.00 


TOTAL 



$963.40 

Reorder P 

rice 878.40 





Diagnostic and Alignment Diskettes 

and 

the Technical 

Referenc 

Manual are not included in reorder 

price 

. The 

y are available i 

requested 

• 






TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 

FRANKLIN 

computer corporation 



BULLETIN #: INV-003 DATE: 08/02/82 

SUBJECT: FLOPPY DISK SUBSYSTEM PARTS KIT 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


Frankl 
to pur 
an Aut 
is as 


in Computer Corporation author 
chase a floppy disk subsystem 
horized Service Center. The 
follows: 


ized dealers will be required 
parts kit upon appointment as 
contents and cost of the kit 


ACE 10 DISK SUBSYSTEM SPARE PARTS KIT - #1000014 


PART # 

DESCRIPTION 

QUANTITY 

PRICE 

TOTAL 

1100005 

DISK CONTROLLER 

1 

$ 54.41 

$ 54.41 

1100004 

DISK ANALOG CARD 

1 

64.77 

64.77 

4018019 

DISK MECH ASSY 

1 

178.50 

178.50 

4013532 

DISK I/O CABLE 

2 

17.42 

34.84 

4002559 

74LS125 IC 

5 

.63 

3.15 

1331407.0 

EPROM (DISK CONTROLLER) 

1 

10.32 

10.32 

S5414500 

LOAD PAD 

5 

1.50 

7.50 

S5416100 

DRIVE BELT 

2 

6.00 

12.00 

S1591500 

ACTIVITY LAMP 

2 

2.10 

4.20 

S1721200 

WRITE PROTECT SWITCH 

2 

3.48 

6.96 

S5407300 

DOOR ASSEMBLY 

2 

3.00 

6.00 


TOTAL 


$382.65 



TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


7030 Colonial Highway 

BULLETIN //: DPA-001 DATE: 03/01/83 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 

SUBJECT: ACE 1000/1200 DEALER PARTS LIST 609-488-1700 


If a dealer requires additional spare 
1000/1200, they are available at the prices 


parts for the 
listed below: 


ACE 


ACE 1000/1200 SPARE PARTS LIST 


PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION DEALER NET LIST PRICE 


1000013 

ACE 1000/1200 

PARTS KIT 

963.40 


1000014 

ACE 10 DISK 

PARTS KIT 

382.65 


1100001 

KEYBOARD ADAPTER 

19.52 

32.54 

1100002 

16K RAM CARD 

60.67 

101.12 

1100004 

DISK ANALOG CARD 

64.77 

107.96 

1100005 

DISK CONTROLLER 

54.41 

90.67 

1100007 

KEYBOARD ADAPTER ASSY. 

17.01 

28.35 

1100018 

MOTHERBOARD - NO COLOR 

365.99 

609.99 

1100018-10 

MOTHERBOARD - COLOR 

403.99 

673.32 

1200009 

POWER SUPPLY 

161.85 

269.75 

1300001 

CABLE ASSY. - SPEAKER 

14.97 

24.95 

1300003 

18 INCH - 16 PIN CABLE 
ASSY 

4.98 

8.30 

1300006 

CABLE - 7 IN. 16 DIP 

PIN ASSY. 

7.80 

13.00 

1331400.1 

A6 EPROM (A-6) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331401.0 

F8 EPROM (G-2) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331401.2 

F8 EPROM (G-2) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331402.0 

FO EPROM (G-3) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331403.0 

E8 EPROM (G-5) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331404.0 

EO EPROM (G-7) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331405.0 

D8 EPROM (G-8) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331406.0 

DO EPROM (G-10) 

9.87 

16.45 

1331407.0 

EPROM (DISK CONTROLLER) 

10.32 

17.20 

1331519 

DISK-DYSAN ALIGNMENT 

25.00 


1331520 

DISK - DEALER 

DIAGNOSTIC 

30.00 


4001006 

200 OHM POTENTIOMETER 

0.12 

0.20 

4001560 

200 MFD. 16V. CAP 

0.30 

0.50 

4001561 

470 MFD CAPACITOR 6.3 V. 

0.30 

0.50 

4002500 

7404 IC 

0.54 

0.90 

4002501 

74166 IC 

1.02 

1.70 

4002502 

74LS00 IC 

0.45 

0.75 

4002503 

74LS02 IC 

0.45 

0.75 

4002505 

74LS08 IC 

0.45 

0.75 


4002507 

74LS11 IC 

0.45 

0.75 

4002508 

74LS20 IC 

0.45 

0.75 

4002509 

74LS32 IC 

0.51 

0.85 

4002510 

74LS51 IC 

0.45 

0.75 

4002511 

74LS74 IC 

0.54 

0.90 

4002512 

74LS86 IC 

0.57 

0.95 

4002513 

74LS138 IC 

0.72 

1.20 

4002514 

74LS139 IC 

0.72 

1.20 

4002515 

74LS151 IC 

0.66 

1.10 

4002516 

74LS153 IC 

0.66 

1.10 

4002517 

74LS161 IC 

0.66 

1.10 

4002518 

74LS174 IC 

0.84 

1.40 

4002520 

74LS194 IC 

0.96 

1.60 

4002521 

74LS251 IC 

0.72 

1.20 

4002522 

74LS257 IC 

0.66 

1.10 

4002523 

74LS259 IC 

1.74 

2.90 

4002524 

74LS283 IC 

0.81 

1 .35 

4002525 

74LS367 IC 

0.69 

1.15 

4002526 

74S86 IC 

0.81 

1 . 35 

4002528 

555 TIMER 

0.54 

0.90 

4002529 

558 TIMER 

2.55 

4.25 

4002532 

6502 MICRO-PROCESSOR 

8.25 

13.75 

4002533 

8T28 IC 

1.53 

2.55 

4002534 

8T97 IC 

1.02 

1.70 

4002536 

16K RAM CHIP 

2.40 

4.00 

4002537 

7400 IC 

0.57 

0.95 

4002539 

7 4 S17 5 IC 

1.17 

1.95 

4002540 

7 4 S19 5 IC 

1.35 

2.25 

4002542 

74LS373 IC 

1.41 

2.35 

4002543 

74LS14 IC 

0.60 

1.00 

4002547 

3054 IC 

1.05 

1.75 

4002548 

311 

0.60 

1.00 

4002550 

592 

1.59 

2.65 

4002551 

74LS05 IC 

0.51 

0.85 

4002552 

74LS123 IC 

0.78 

1 . 30 

4002553 

74LS163 IC 

0.69 

1.15 

4002555 

9334 IC 

1.77 

2.95 

4002558 

LN2003 IC 

1.35 

2.25 

4002559 

74LS125 IC 

0.63 

1.05 

4002561 

74LS109 IC 

0.60 

1.00 

4002562 

556 

0.90 

1.50 

4004501 

SWITCH (PADDLE) 

1.89 

3.15 

4004503 

SWITCH (RESET) 

7.65 

12.75 

4004507 

SWITCH (RESET) 

3.69 

6.15 

4005501 

FAN 

22.55 

37.58 

4006700 

LED 

2.55 

4.25 

4007005 

MPS-U51 

0.75 

1.25 

4010002 

14 PIN SOCKET 

0.12 

0.20 

4010003 

16 PIN SOCKET 

0.15 

0.25 

4010004 

24 PIN SOCKET 

0.24 

0.40 

4010005 

40 PIN SOCKET 

0.42 

0.70 

4010520 

50 PIN CONNECTOR SOCKET 

2.58 

4.30 

4013531 

18" CABLE DIP CONN 

4.56 

7.60 

4013532 

DISK I/O CABLE 

17.42 

29.03 


2 



4018019 

DISK MECHANICAL 

178.50 

297.50 


ASSEMBLY 



4031500 

POWER CABLE 

5.16 

8.60 

4031501 

POWER CABLE 

3.00 

5.00 

4031507 

PHONO CABLE 

0.81 

1.35 

4034501 

CRYSTAL 

1.92 

3.20 

5018500 

KEYBOARD 

135.30 

225.51 

5021305P 

METAL CASE - PAINTED 

13.82 

23.04 


AC'S 10 



5021311-1 

BASE - ALUMINUM 

20.41 

34.02 


(ACE 1000) 



5022502 

BUMPER 

0.30 

.50 

5035500 

ACE 100 - CASE (BASE) 

99.53 

165.88 

5035502 

ACE 100 - CASE (TOP) 

45.93 

76.55 

5035511 

ACE 1000 - CASE (BASE) 

37.56 

62.60 

5035512 

ACE 1000 - CASE (TOP) 

26.03 

43.38 

50355 13 

ACE 1000 - LATCH 

4.08 

6.80 


SI 591500 

ACTIVITY LAMP 

2.10 

3.50 

S1721200 

WRITE PROTECT SWITCH 

3.48 

5.80 

S5407300 

DOOR ASSEMBLY 

3.00 

5.00 

S5414500 

LOAD PAD 

1.50 

2.50 

S5416100 

DRIVE BELT 

6.00 

10.00 

NOTE : 

ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO 

CHANGE WITHOUT 

NOTICE. 


3 




TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 



BULLETIN #: RPA-001 DATE: 03/01/83 

SUBJECT: ACE 1000/1200 RETAIL PARTS LIST 


FRANKLIN 

I COMPUTER CORPORATION 

7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


A dealer may, 

if required, directly sell parts to the 

end user. 

A complete parts list for the ACE 1000/1200 with retail 
as follows: 

ACE 1000/1200 RETAIL PARTS LIST 

pricing is 

PART NUMBER 

DESCRIPTION 

LIST PRICE 

1100001 

KEYBOARD ADAPTER 

32.54 

1100002 

16K RAM CARD 

101.12 

1100004 

DISK ANALOG CARD 

107.96 

1100005 

DISK CONTROLLER 

90.67 

1100007 

KEYBOARD ADAPTER ASSY. 

28.35 

1100018 

MOTHERBOARD “ NO COLOR 

609.99 

1100018-10 

MOTHERBOARD - COLOR 

673.32 

1200009 

POWER SUPPLY 

269.75 

1300001 

CABLE ASSY. - SPEAKER 

24.95 

1300003 

18 INCH - 16 PIN CABLE 

ASSY 

8.30 

1300006 

CABLE - 7 IN. 16 DIP 

PIN ASSY. 

13.00 

1331400.1 

A6 EPROM (A-6) 

16.45 

1331401.0 

F8 EPROM (G-2) 

16.45 

1331401.2 

F8 EPROM (G-2) 

16.45 

1331402.0 

FO EPROM (G-3) 

16.45 

1331403.0 

E8 EPROM (G-5) 

16.45 

1331404.0 

EO EPROM (G-7) 

16.45 

1331405.0 

D8 EPROM (G-8) 

16.45 

1331406.0 

DO EPROM (G-10) 

16.45 

1331407.0 

EPROM (DISK CONTROLLER) 

17.20 

4001006 

200 OHM POTENTIOMETER 

0.20 

4001560 

200 MFD. 16V. CAP 

0.50 

4001561 

470 MFD CAPACITOR 6.3 V. 

0.50 

4002500 

7404 IC 

0.90 

4002501 

74166 IC 

1.70 

4002502 

74LS00 IC 

0.75 

4002503 

74LS02 IC 

0.75 

4002505 

74LS08 IC 

0.75 

4002507 

74LS11 IC 

0.75 

4002508 

74LS20 IC 

0.75 

4002509 

74LS32 IC 

0.85 


4002510 

74LS51 IC 

0.75 

4002511 

74LS74 IC 

0.90 

4002512 

74LS86 IC 

0.95 

4002513 

74LS138 IC 

1.20 

4002514 

74LS139 IC 

1.20 

4002515 

74LS151 IC 

1.10 

4002516 

74LS153 IC 

1.10 

4002517 

74LS161 IC 

1.10 

4002518 

74LS174 IC 

1.40 

4002520 

74LS194 IC 

1.60 

4002521 

74LS251 IC 

1.20 

4002522 

74LS257 IC 

1.10 

4002523 

74LS259 IC 

2.90 

4002524 

74LS283 IC 

1.35 

4002525 

74LS367 IC 

1.15 

4002526 

74S86 IC 

1.35 

4002528 

555 TIMER 

0.90 

4002529 

558 TIMER 

4.25 

4002532 

6502 MICRO-PROCESSOR 

13.75 

4002533 

8T2 8 IC 

2.55 

4002534 

8T97 IC 

1.70 

4002536 

16K RAM CHIP 

4.00 

4002537 

7400 IC 

0.95 

4002539 

7 4 S17 5 IC 

1.95 

4002540 

7 4 S19 5 IC 

2.25 

4002542 

74LS373 IC 

2.35 

4002543 

74LS14 IC 

1.00 

4002547 

3054 IC 

1.75 

4002548 

311 

1.00 

4002550 

592 

2.65 

4002551 

74LS05 IC 

0.85 

4002552 

74LS123 

1.30 

4002553 

74LS163 IC 

1.15 

4002555 

9334 IC 

2.95 

4002558 

LN2003 IC 

2.25 

4002559 

74LS125 IC 

1.05 

4002561 

74LS109 IC 

1.00 

4002562 

556 

1.50 

4004501 

SWITCH (PADDLE) 

3.15 

4004503 

SWITCH (RESET) 

12.75 

4004507 

SWITCH (RESET) 

6.15 

4005501 

FAN 

37.58 

4006700 

LED 

4.25 

4007005 

MPS-U51 

1 .25 

4010002 

14 PIN SOCKET 

0.20 

4010003 

16 PIN SOCKET 

0.25 

4010004 

24 PIN SOCKET 

0.40 

4010005 

40 PIN SOCKET 

0.70 

4010520 

50 PIN CONNECTOR SOCKET 

4.30 

4013531 

18" CABLE DIP CONN 

7.60 

4013532 

DISK I/O CABLE 

29.03 


2 



4018019 

DISK MECHANICAL 

ASSEMBLY 

297.50 

4031500 

POWER CABLE 

8.60 

4031501 

POWER CABLE 

5.00 

4031507 

PHONO CABLE 

1.35 

4034501 

CRYSTAL 

3.20 

5018500 

KEYBOARD 

225.51 

5021305P 

METAL CASE - PAINTED 

ACT 10 

23.04 

5021311-1 

BASE - ALUMINUM 
(ACE 1000) 

34.02 

5022502 

BUMPER 

.50 

5035500 

ACE 100 - CASE (BASE) 

165.88 

5035502 

ACE 100 - CASE (TOP) 

76.55 

5035511 

ACE 1000 - CASE (BASE) 

62.60 

5035512 

ACE 1000 - CASE (TOP) 

43.38 

5035513 

ACE 1000 - LATCH 

6.80 

7005035 

TECHNICAL REFERENCE 

MANUAL 

50.00 

S1591500 

ACTIVITY LAMP 

3.50 

S1721200 

WRITE PROTECT SWITCH 

5.80 

S5407300 

DOOR ASSEMBLY 

5.00 

S5414500 

LOAD PAD 

2.50 

S5416100 

DRIVE BELT 

10.00 

NOTE : 

ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT 

NOTICE. 


3 





TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN #: AC1-001 

SUBJECT: EPROM REVISION 


DATE: 03/02 

LEVELS 


8 3 7030 Colonial Highway 

Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


This bulletin provides a list of all of the EPROM'S used in the 
ACE 100, ACE 1000, and ACE 1200 computers with the applicable 
revision levels for each machine. 


PROM I.D. 

G2 

G3 

G5 

G7 

G8 

G10 

A6 


ACE 100 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.1 


ACE 1000 
2.2 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.1 


ACE 1200 
2.3 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2.0 
2 . 1 


TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN #: AC1-002 DATE: 08/02/82 

SUBJECT: FRANKLIN/APPLE KEYBOARD DIFFERENCES 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


The ACE keyboard and the APPLE keyboard are not compatible in 
several areas. The table below lists which keys on the ACE will 
produce a code equivalent to that produced by the APPLE. This 
only covers those keys that produce different codes. Different 
key locations are not covered. A complete keyboard layout with 
the hex codes produced is shown in the attached illustration. 


APPLE KEY 
SHIFT M 
CTRL SHIFT M 
SHIFT N 
CTRL SHIFT N 
SHIFT P 


ACE KEY COMMENT 

] RIGHT BRACKET 

CTRL SHIFT ] 

SHIFT 6 ~ ('NOT' SIGN) 

**** not AVAILABLE **** 

SHIFT @ @ ('AT' SIGN) 


CTRL SHIFT P 


CTRL SHIFT @ 


NULL 


TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 



FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN #: AC1-003 DATE: 01/01/83 

SUBJECT: I.C. Specification for Location 

H14 on Motherboard 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


There are a number of programs on the market which make use of a 
shift key modification for proper operation. This modification 
is usually a wire from the shift key to the game I/O connector. 
The program will test the game I/O port to determine if the shift 
key has been depressed. 

We have found that the use of a National I.C. in location H14 on 
the motherboard (74LS251) may cause incorrect sampling of the 
game I/O port status. The symptom of this problem may be random 
display of the wrong character when a key is pressed on the 
keyboard. 

Due to this problem, the only approved I.C. for location H14 is 
Texas Instruments. 



TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN #: AC1-004 DATE: 01/01/83 

SUBJECT: ACE 1000/1200 MODIFICATION FOR 230V, 50HZ 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


Two modules of the Franklin Computer (ACE 1000 or 1200), the 
power supply and the motherboard, must be modified in order for 
the computer to be operated on 230V, 50HZ power sources. The 
modifications are as follows: 

1. POWER SUPPLY 

Remove the power supply exterior casing. Located on the fan 
side of the P.C. board is a removable jumper (see Figure 1). 
Remove the jumper from the 115V pin and install it on the 
pin marked 230V. Remove the fan assembly and install a 230V 
fan assembly, part number 4005500. Reassemble the power 
supply. 

2. MOTHERBOARD 

Refer to the attached Figure 2 for locations on the 
motherboard to be cut and jumpered. Between coordinates 14C 
and 14D, cut trace U2 and jumper trace E2. Between 
coordinates 14D and 14E, cut trace U1 and jumper trace El. 
Jumper trace E3 between coordinated 12D and 13D. 



Figure 1. 230 V 50 Hz Conversion Power Supply Section. 



MOTHER BOARD (SECTION) 


Figure 2. 230 V 50 Hz Conversion Mother Board Section. 


2 






TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


BULLETIN //: AC1-005 DATE: 3/3/83 

SUBJECT: I.C. Specification for ColorboarcJ 


7030 Colonial Highway 
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 
609-488-1700 


The first series of color boards manufactured by Franklin 
Computer Corporation were found to have a timing problem in the 
board logic. The symptom of this problem is generally the 
breaking up of the display with vertical bars. To correct this 
problem, change the I.C. at location U12 from a 74LS14 to a 7404 
and the I.C. at location U9 from a 74LS86 to a 74S86. 




ACE 1000/1200 KEYBOARD CODE MAP 



-j * o 

CCOO 

i- o 

OjQ. 


3 


CTRL - SHIFT WILL PRODUCE SHIFTED MODE CODES 






ACE 1000 KEYBOARD CODE MAP 



CO 

> 

LU 

o 

£ 


3 

CO 


< 

CL 

O 


CO 

LU 

Q 

O 

O 

LU 

Q 

O 



XXX 
CO CO CO 




CL CL CL 
H •“ h- 
O O O 


5 





































D3Q2D4 D6 D7,5,8,9,10,12,11,13,Q3 



6 


Figure 1. ACE 1000 Power Supply Schematic Diagram. 





7 


Figure 2. ACE 1000 Power Supply Component Drawing 











PWR 

CONT 



Figure 3. ACE 1000 Mother Board 















HE! 

LOGIC CLEAN-UP AND RELEASE 

w 'itJ-'y. 7 ■/*■**. 

OBI 

ADO XY2, CHANGE MDRE86-7, 400 OECOURlM 


F0 

UNSIGNED ISSUE 

5 " **■ 

mm 

DESCRIPTION/ ECN * 

INITIALS DATE 


TITLE 

ACE 1000/1200 LOGIC 
REV A 81 B MOTHERBOARD 


ENQ. DRN. BY: 


DWG. NO. 

iina 

7039010 

D 

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FRANKLIN. COMPUTER CORPORATIO 

N 

MEMORY ARRAY 1 

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1 


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J2-J5 


TITLE 

ACE DUAL INTEPFACE CARD 


COMPVrM CORPORATION 


ICHKD. BY: 


73-23 


DATE: 1-24-83 


| ENG. 

#.a 


DRN. BY: 

C.A.MELSON 


DWG. NO. 


7039004 

B 

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REV 

DE SCRIPTIONJ 

DATE 

aPvd 

A 

REV PERECNJ 00013 

-rw 

2-18-83 

t 

A 

REL PER ERNJ OOOOI 

tw 

2-18-83 

/ 

B 

REv/ECN 0000 6 NS 

3 -S-S3 


£ 

ZEL/EZN 4 

2-I8& 



INTERFACE 
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10 



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I.5K 


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TITLE 

ACE COLOR CARD 


7 


T 


DATE: 9-13-82 
■ ?QALE:. 


MFG. APP'D. 


| ENG. 


CHKD. BY: 
fo-w- 

" DRN. BY: 


DWG. NO. 

REV. 

7039006 

& 

ISHEET i OF 1 | 

































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5 


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)—4—WAIT OUT(L)fBl) __ 

NOTE I*. D7=| WHEN DATA TO Z80 IS READY 
NOTE 2\ D0= I WHEN DATA TO ACE IS READY 
NOTE 3’. CSO(L)- WRITE DATA FROM Z80 TO ACE 
CSI(L) - READ DATA FROM ACE TO Z80 
CS2(L) = READ ACE INTR. STATUS 
NOTE 4 : PIN I OF 27 16 AND 2112, CONNECT TO 
PIN 3 OF 28 PIN PACKAGE 


F 


ACE 80 


FRANKLIN 

COMPVrn CORPORATION 

PATE: 2-Z8-83 
SCALE: 


'fcCl 9» l £rv25t'\_, 

2 --Zb - <&\ 


TITLE 

CPU BOARD 


DWG. NO. _ 

7039012 

SHEET I OF I 


1 




























ACE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS 


User's Manual 


04/01/83 


1 



INTRODUCTION 


1 . 

The ACE computer diagnostics have been developed to allow quick 
and easy fault isolation to the major subassembly level of the 
ACE 100/1000/1200 computers. The diagnostics have been designed 
for both factory and in field testing. Primary emphasis has been 
placed on the design of the operator interface and on the quality 
of the tests themselves. Only those tests which are capable of 
providing the user with meaningful information and a high degree 
of confidence in the results are provided. If the ACE product 
can pass all of these tests, then the probability that the unit 
is fault free is very high. 

The tests are all menu driven and attempt to tutorially guide you 
through each step without requiring you to have access to the 
user's manual for either the operation of the test or the 
interpretation of the results. At the same time, the menus were 
designed so as not to hinder or slow down a skilled user. 

The diagnostics are provided only to Authorized Service Centers 
and are not to be distributed to any other party in any form. 

2. GETTING STARTED 

Install the diagnostic diskette in the number 1 disk drive and 
turn the power on. This will boot the system on the diskette. 

When the diagnostics program has loaded, a menu screen will be 
displayed as follows: 


FRANKLIN ACE 

DEALER DIAGNOSTIC DISKETTE 
VERSION 1.1 
04/11/83 


Press letter for function desired 
or press ESC to exit. 

A) RAM TEST 

B) EPROM TEST 

C) KEYBOARD TEST 

D) PADDLE TEST 

E) SCREEN TEST 

F) DISK TEST 

G) PERIPHERAL TEST 


The Main Menu allows you to select which test is to be performed. 
It is also the menu to which all of the tests will return when 
they have completed. The functions of the tests are self 
explanatory. To begin a test, just type the letter of the test 
desired. 


2 



If you enter an invalid letter, it will not be accepted by the 
program. If a valid letter is entered, the screen will clear and 
the selected test module will load from the diskette. The 
beginning instructions for the selected test will then be 
displayed . 

The programs that perform each test are stored on the diskette - 
they are not kept loaded in the machine. This requires that the 
diagnostic diskette must be in the disk drive when an item is 
selected from the Main Menu. If the diagnostic diskette is not 
on-line when a test is selected, or if for some reason the 
diskette cannot be read, press the RESET switch. This will 
return you to the main menu. Reseat the diskette and try again. 
If this still does not work, power the unit off and try to boot 
from a coldstart. If this is also unsuccessful, then your 
diagnostic diskette or your disk drive or your disk controller 
card may be bad. Replace these possible three items successively 
in this order until the problem is corrected and you can 
successfully boot. 

The following sections describe each of the diagnostic tests in 
detail. 


3. RAM TEST 

The memory test only has one menu and it looks like this: 

FRANKLIN MEMORY TEST 
VERSION 1.0 

DO YOU WANT A SHORT TEST OR A LONG 
TEST? A SHORT TEST WILL RUN FOR 
ABOUT 23 MINUTES. A LONG TEST WILL 
RUN FOREVER. 

TYPE <L> IF YOU WANT THE LONG TEST, 

ANY OTHER KEY IF YOU WANT THE SHORT. 


The short test is intended to provide a quick " go-no go" type of 
test. If the memory passes this test, then it is very probably 
ok. The long test is intended for burn-in type testing where the 
unit is typically left on overnight or longer. 

Once you select which type of test you want, the memory test will 


3 



begin executing. The screen will immediately fill with a pattern 
of characters. This is because the test is performed on the whole 
range of RAM in the machine. Since the screen memory is included 
in the test, the patterns being written to memory during the test 
show up on the screen. 

The short test consists of 256 passes through all RAM in the 
machine (including the 16K RAM card in the ACE 100) Because the 
test is very thorough, it is not particularly fast. The algorithm 
used is such that eventually every byte will have been tested 
with each possible byte value when the test has concluded. In 
addition, the value being tested in a particular byte is a 
function of the address of that byte so that address line errors 
can be detected. 

While the test is running, you are informed at the end of each 
pass if the memory has tested good up to that point with a beep 
and the following message: 


TESTING OK SO FAR - HIT <ESC> TO QUIT. 


This lets you know that the test is still running, that no errors 
have been found yet, and that you may exit the test and go back 
to the Main Menu by hitting ESC. (When you hit ESC, there may be 
a slight delay before the test stops and goes back to the Main 
Menu. This is because the ESC will only be recognized at the end 
of a pass.) 

The short test takes 23 minutes, which is short only in a 
relative test. If you want an even quicker go-no test, just let 
the test run for about six passes and then hit ESC. If the test 
is running ok to that point, you can assume with a reasonable 
degree of confidence that your memory is ok. 

As long as the test does not find any memory errors, the pattern 
and the pass message will continue to display on the screen. 
However, as soon as any error is found, the screen display will 
change to the following display and will remain in this display 
until the test is finished: 


TEST STILL RUNNING - ERRORS SO FAR: 


RAM 

CARD 

U4 

OK 

U3 

OK 

U2 

OK 

U1 

OK 

U6 

OK 

U7 

OK 

U8 

OK 

U9 

OK 

MAIN 

E3 

E4 

E5 

E6 

E7 

E8 

E9 

E10 

CARD 

OK 

OK 

BAD 

OK 

OK 

OK 

OK 

OK 


4 






D3 

D4 

D5 

D6 

OK 

OK 

OK 

OK 

C3 

C4 

C5 

C6 

OK 

OK 

OK 

OK 


D7 

D8 

D9 

D10 

OK 

OK 

BAD 

OK 


C7 

C8 

C9 

CIO 

OK 

OK 

OK 

OK 


This display will vary depending on the type of computer running 
the test. An ACE 100 will show the above display, while an ACE 
1000 and 1 200 will show the proper locations for the entire 64K 
memory range on the motherboard. 

For the purposes of example, this display assumes that the two 
memory chips at locations E5 and D9 are bad. Every chip that has 
been found bad so far will have "BAD" displayed under it's PC 
board location. You can't see it here, but the "BAD" will also 
appear on the screen in inverse video so that the bad chips will 
really stand out visually. While this display is being shown, you 
will hear a buzzing noise which will vary in pitch and frequency 
according to where errors are found in the memory. This is just 
to assure you that the test is still running. 

When the test is done (short test only - the long test is never 
done), the screen will be cleared and you will see a message 
indicating whether the memory is ok or bad. If any error 
occurred, the test will report the memory to be bad. At this 
point, hitting any key will get you back to the Main Menu 
(remember that the Diagnostic Diskette should still be in drive 
one so that the main program can be loaded back in). 


4. THE EPROM TEST 

This test will load a copy of the data that should be stored in 
the EPROMS from the diskette and will compare that data to the 
data actually contained in the EPROMS. It takes a few seconds to 
load and compare all of the data. During this wait, you should 
see the disk access light on and hear the disk accessing. There 
is no output from the test until all of the EPROM data has been 
checked. When the EPROMS are checked, the screen will display the 
memory location, status, and revision level of each EPROM in the 
system. 

5. THE KEYBOARD TEST 

The keyboard test is designed to be usuable for any current or 
future Franklin Computer product. This feature is possible since 
the results of the test are displayed as a hex code for each key 
depression. Compare the hex codes displayed with the keyboard 
charts located in the ACE Computer Technical Information 
Bulletins in the appropriate section of this manual. 


5 




Since this test samples keyboard input, it is not possible to 
return to the menu as in the other tests. To return to the menu, 
simply press the reset button on the computer. Be sure the 
diagnostic diskette is still in the disk drive. 

6. THE PADDLE TEST 

The paddle test has only one menu: 


flflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfllflflfllfllflflflflflflflfl 


B 1 
fl I 

B FRANKLIN PADDLE TEST B 
B fl 
fl VERSION 1.0 fl 
fl A 
fl A 
B YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE THE fl 
fl A 
fl CURSOR ANYWHERE WITHIN THE SCREEN I 
fl * 
fl BOX BY TURNING THE PADDLES. YOU ■ 
fl fl 
fl SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO BEEP THE I 
fl A 
■ BELL BY PRESSING THE PADDLE B 
fl A 
fl BUTTONS. ■ 
I A 
fl A 
fl HIT <ESC> TO QUIT. B 
I A 


flflfllflflflflllflfllflflllflflflllflflfllflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl 


Somewhere inside the inverted video screen box you will see a 
solitary inverted block. This is the cursor showing the current 
position of the paddle settings. (It does not blink like the 
normal cursor does.) You should be able to move that paddle 
cursor throughout the entire interior region of that box. If you 
can't, or if you can't beep the bell by pressing the paddle 
buttons, then something is wrong with either the game I/O 
circuitry on the motherbard or something is wrong with your 
paddles. As you move the paddles, you will see a display to the 
lower right of the box with changing numbers. These numbers 
display the relative positions of each axis of the game paddles 
in numbers of 0 to 255. This is useful since some devices are 
not capable of movement within their full intended range. 

Hit the ESC key to stop the paddle test and go back to the Main 
Menu (again, the diagnostic diskette has to be in drive one to be 


6 



able to load back in the main program). 

7. SCREEN TEST 

The graphics test will automatically load and display a series of 
test patterns in both the primary and secondary pages of memory. 
A series of color bars will also be displayed during the tests. 
The tests are self explanatory. At the conclusion of all of the 
tests, press RETURN to return to the main diagnostic menu. 

8. DISK TEST 

A read/write verification type of a disk test is included on the 
normal Master Systems Disk provided with each ACE computer. This 
test may be used to verify actual read/write integrity after 
alignments are made by the service technician. 

The information on the Dealer Diagnostic Diskette and in the 
Technical Reference Manual will allow the service technician to 
perform all of the alignments necessary on the ACE 10 disk 
subsystem. On selecting the DISK TEST from the main menu, the 
following menu will be displayed: 


MECHANICS TEST MENU 


A - WRITE PROTECT 
B - ERASE 

C - TRACK ALIGNMENT 
D - AZIMUTH 
E - DISK SPEED 


Press ESC to return to the main menu. 


When this menu is displayed, remove the diagnostic diskette if it 
is installed in the drive to be tested. For tests A, B, and E, 
install a blank initialized diskette. For tests C and D install 
the Dysan Alignment Diskette provided with your Dealer spare 
parts kit. 

A full explanation of each of these tests is provided in Section 
11 of this manual in Technical Information Bulletin DSI-002. 
Refer to this Bulletin for instructions on the tests. 

9. PERIPHERAL TEST 

The peripheral tests are designed to test any of the accessory 
boards currently manufactured by Franklin Computer Corporation. 
New tests will be added when necessary to support new products. 

On selection of this test from the main menu, the following menu 
will be displayed: 


7 



FRANKLIN ACE 
PERIPHERAL BOARD TESTS 
VERSION 1.0 


Which of these boards do you want to 
test now? 

A) ACE 80 CPU 

B) ACE DISPLAY 

C) ACE DUAL INTERFACE 

Press the letter next to the test that 
you want to do. Press ESC to return 
to the main menu. 


Each of the above tests are described below. 

A. ACE 80 CPU 

1. Hardware required: 

a. ACE computer 

b. One disk drive 

c. Monitor 

d. As many CPU boards as you wish to test 

2. Software required: 

This diskette 

3. Functions tested: 

a. Z80 CPU 

b. PROM checksum 

c. RAM data retention 

d. RAM data patterns 

e. Counter Timer 

f. CTC generated interrupts 

4. Possible error messages: 

a. CPU FAILED 

b. PROM CHECKSUM IS BAD 

c. RAM DATA RETENTION ERROR 

d. RAM DATA PATTERN ERROR 

e. CTC ERROR 

f. CTC INTERRUPT ERROR 

g. THE BOARD IS OK 

h. I don't find an ACE 80 CPU 


Each slot in the computer is tested and one of the above 


8 



messages is displayed along with the slot number. You may 
install as many boards for testing as you want. The program 
will find and test all of them. If the program does not 
find a board which is installed, the board is not 
functioning at all. 

NOTE: SOME OF THE EARLY CPU CARDS SUPPLIED TO FRANKLIN BY 

PCPI HAD AN ERROR IN THE ARTWORK WHICH WOULD CAUSE AN 
INCORRECTLY REPORTED "CTC INTERRUPT” ERROR. IF YOU GET THIS 
ERROR AND THE BOARD MASK IS NOT LABELED n FRANKL IN COMPUTER 
C 0 RP •", DISREGARD THIS ERROR MESSAGE. ANY OTHER ERROR IS 
STILL VALID. 

B. ACE DISPLAY 

1. Hardware required: 

a. ACE computer 

b. One disk drive 

c. Monitor 

d. ACE display card 

2. Software required: 

This diskette 

3. Functions tested: 

a. Display RAM 

b. ROM checksum 

c. Places characters on screen and initializes 
CTC. 

4. Possible error messages: 

a. THE CARD IS GOOD 

c. PROM FAILED TEST 

d. RAM FAILED TEST 

This is a go/no go test. Currently the test is supplied 
assuming a revision 4.5 EPROM in the board. 

We have found that certain failures in the CRT controller 

I.C. will not be found by the diagnostic. As a further 
supplement to this test do the following: 

1. After running the normal test, press the reset 
button. 

2. Type PR# x where x is the slot number of the board 
under test. Press the RETURN key. The screen 
should switch to 80 column mode. If not, the board 
is defective. 

3. Type the alphabet on the keyboard. All of the 


9 



are typed. If they appear anywhere else on the 
screen, the board is defective. 

If the tests above fail, replace the CRT controller 

I.C. 

C. ACE DUAL INTERFACE 

1. Hardware required: 

a. ACE computer 

b. One disk drive 

c. Monitor 

d. Test jig (see appendix A) 

NOTE: SLOTS 1 AND 2 MUST NOT HAVE OTHER BOARDS 
INSTALLED. THE DUAL INTERFACE BOARD USES BOTH OF THESE 
SLOTS FOR TESTING PURPOSES. 

2. Software required: 

This diskette 

3. Functions tested: 

a. Expansion PROM 

b. Parallel PROM 

c. Parallel printer port 

d. Serial PROM 

e. Serial port handshake lines 

f. Serial port input and output 

After test f. the test will ask you to change switch 
settings on the board. The test for serial port input 
and output will be repeated for the alternate settings. 

The tests are performed in the above order. If a board 
fails the serial PROM test, that means that the board 
passed all tests previos to the PROM test. The test 
will stop when it encounters an error or when the test 
is successfully completed. 

Unlike the diagnostics for the other peripheral cards, 
there is a specific setup procedure required to test 
the dual interface card. 

Refer to the users manual supplied with the card to 
familiarize yourself with the switch settings. Note 
that the board is held upside down to read the numbers 
on the switches correctly. Look at one of the switch 
groups and you will see the word "ON”. Moving the 
switch in that direction will turn that switch on. 
Moving it in the other direction will turn the switch 
off. 


10 



Refer to appendix C. This contains the initial and the 
alternate switch settings for the tests. Set the 
switches on the card now to match the settings in the 
initial group. Be sure to set all of the switches 
correctly. Failure to do so will give incorrect 
results with the diagnostics. 

While you are running the test, the program will stop 
and tell you to change the switches to their alternate 
settings. THIS CHANGE IN SWITCH SETTINGS MUST BE DONE 
WITH THE POWER ON. BE CAREFUL SO YOU DO NOT ROCK THE 
BOARD OUT OF ITS SLOT. THIS WILL DAMAGE THE BOARD AND 
THE COMPUTER. 

Connect the serial and parallel extension cables to the 
dual I/O card as instructed in your user manual. Plug 
the board into slot #1 in the computer. 

Connect the test jig shown in appendix A to the serial 
port cable attached to the card. This jig is now 
provided with the dealer spare parts kit. Call 

Technical Services if you do not have or cannot make 
one of these assemblies. 

Connect a parallel printer to the parallel cable 
attached to the card. 

You are now ready to run the diagnostics on the card. 

4. Running the diagnostic 

Select the ACE DUAL INTERFACE diagnostic from the main 
menu. The screen will prompt you to press return to 
start the test. The test will proceed as follows: 

a. The printer will print the alphabet. 

b. There will be a 15 second delay. 

c. A message will display asking you to change the 
switches to their alternate setting. 

d. CAREFULLY CHANGE THE SWITCH SETTINGS. 

e. Press the return key to continue the test. 

f. There will be a 15 second delay. 

If the board is good, a message will be displayed 
indicating this. If the board is defective, one of the 
error messages in appendix C should be displayed. 


11 



APPENDIX A 
Test Jig 


SERIAL PIN ASSIGNMENTS 



A-1 



APPENDIX B 
Switch Settings 


INITIAL SETTINGS: 

switch group 1: 










































APPENDIX C 
ERROR MESSAGES 

I can't find the parallel card! 

The diagnostic wasn't able to locate the parallel card PROM. 
Did you plug the DIC into slot one? The on-board decoding 
may also be to blame. 

The parallel care EPROM failed! 

The PROM on the DIC failed the checksum test. The PROM 
might be the wrong one, or it may be blank. 

The parallel port isn't working right! 

The DIC couldn't send data to the printer, or it couldn't 
tell if the printer was connected. Make sure the printer is 
turned on and ON-LINE. Also, check the cable. 

I can't find the serial card! 

The program couldn't locate the serial card PROM. Are you 
sure that the switch settings are correct? 

The serial card EPROM failed! 

See "The parallel card EPROM failed!" 

RTS/CTS handshaking is bad! 

The RTS and CTS handshake lines aren't working right. Are 
you sure that the test jig is plugged in? Is it the right 

jig? 


DSR/DCD/DTR handshaking is bad! 

The DSR, DCD, and DTR lines aren't working. Are you sure 
the serial test jig is plugged in? 


I can't send serial data! 

The circuitry on the DIC is probably bad. 


I can't receive serial data! 

The circuitry on the DIC is probably bad. 


I am getting serial parity errors! 

The circuitry on the DIC is probably bad. Most likely the 

2661 chip. 

The expansion EPROM failed! 

The PROM doesn't check out! Is the right PROM installed? 
Is it programmed? 


C-l 




FRANKLIN COMPUTER CORPORATION 
7030 COLONIAL HIGHWAY 
PENNSAUKEN, N.J. 08109 
609 488-1700 


ACE 10 FLOPPY DISK SUBSYSTEM 


THEORY OF OPERATION 



1 


INTRODUCTION 


This manual describes the operation of the Franklin Computer 
Corporation floppy disk subsystem. The disk subsystem is 
intended to be used with the ACE desk top computers. The 
subsystem maintains full compatabi1ity with the Apple II disk 
drives and controller. 

Before attempting to connect the disk subsystem to the computer, 
we recommend that you read through the sections on unpacking, 
familiarization and installation. This will take only a few 
minutes, but could eliminate an installation problem which might 
cost you several hours and significant damage to your computer 
and disk drive. In fact, the majority of the problems with any 
new piece of computer equipment are caused by not familiarizing 
yourself with the use of the equipment prior to attempting the 
installation. 

The first sections of this manual will guide a first time disk 
user through the process of unpacking and installing the disk 
subsystem. To verify that the units are operational, section 5 
will take you through a short checkout procedure. Section 6 
deals with the operation of the Disk Operating System (DOS). The 
DOS is the program which allows you to control and use the disk 
drives. To take full advantage of the disk subsystem, you should 
become very familiar with DOS. 

If this is your first disk subsystem, we recommend that you spend 
some time reading Section 6 through 6.3.4 (General Housekeeping). 
This will give you a good overview of what the disk drives can do 
for you, and at least a basic idea of how to operate them. 


1 



2. UNPACKING 


After removing your equipment from the shipping container, you 
should verify that you have received the following items: 

1. Disk Drive with cable attached 

2* Disk controller board if #1 disk drive 

3. Systems disk if #1 disk drive 

4. This manual 

5. Warranty registration card 

The shipping container has been specifically designed to protect 
the disk drive and controller during shipment. We suggest that 
you keep this packaging material for use in the event you have to 
ship the disk drive to a dealer or to the factory for repair. 

After you have unpacked the equipment, look for any apparent 
shipping damage. If anything appears bent or broken, contact 
your dealer or Franklin Computer Corp. before connecting the 
equipment to your computer. 


2 



3 


FAMILIARIZATION 


The Franklin Ace disk subsystem consists of two components, the 
drive unit and the controller unit. The controller unit is the 
small electronics board which will be installed in one of the ACE 
computer expansion slots. The drive unit is the large 
rectangular box with a flat ribbon cable attached to the back. 

If you look closely at the controller card, you will see two 
connectors, one labeled DRV 1 and the other DRV 2. During the 
installation procedure you will be required to connect the cables 
from the disk drives to these connectors on the controller board. 

Next to the DRV 2 connector is a small 4 pin connector with a 
removable gold clip between the center two pins. This clip is 
called the configuration jumper. Using your fingers, you can 
remove this jumper from the 4 pin connector. Notice that there 
are three possible connections for the jumper. For use in a 
Franklin ACE computer, the jumper must be connected to the right 
two pins. If this jumper is not installed properly, the computer 
will not boot a diskette. The controller is normally shipped 
with the jumper installed correctly, but check the position now 
to insure proper operation. 

On the extreme left side of the controller there are two small 
rectangular boxes. These are called potentiometers and are used 
to calibrate the controller. They are set at the factory and 
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU ADJUST THEM . These are to be 
adjusted only by an authorized Franklin Computer Service Center 
when deemed necessary by them. 

A third and very important component of your disk subsystem is 
the diskette. Diskettes are thin, flat, and lightweight, which 
makes them easy to store and transport. These characteristics 
also make them very susceptable to abuse and damage. One of the 
major factors in the reliability of your disk subsystem will be 
the care you exercise in handling your diskettes. 

Diskettes are similar to audio magnetic tapes. The tape in this 
case is circular and is enclosed in a protective plastic jacket. 
The recording surface is visible through the oblong cutout at one 
end of the diskette. You should be very careful when handling 
and storing diskettes that this area is always protected. Dust, 
dirt, fingerprints, or spilled liquids on the recording surface 
can affect the information stored on the diskette. Furthermore, 
if you put a contaminated diskette in a disk drive in an attempt 
to recover the information stored there, the contamination can be 
deposited on the disk drive read/write head and subsequently be 
transferred to other diskettes. Scratches on the recording 
surface can also affect the data stored on the diskette. 
Information is stored on the diskette in .012 by .0002 inch 
areas. With dimensions this small, even invisible scratches can 
be damaging. Obviously bending or folding a diskette is not 


3 



recommended 


As you begin to collect diskettes, ;you will want to label each 
one* The suggested method is to first write or type on the label 
and then put the label on the diskette. If you have to change 
something on a label, you should only use a felt tip pen* Ball 
point pens could damage the recording surface even through the 
protective jacket* 

Both heat and magnetic fields can erase or alter the information 
stored on a diskette* Be very careful where the diskettes are 
used or stored to prevent this type of damage* 

If you hold a diskette with the label facing you and the oblong 
slot down, you will probably have a small notch about 1 inch from 
the top on the right side. This is called the write protect 
notch. When this notch is covered or missing, as in the case of 
some program master diskettes, the disk drive write circuitry is 
disabled. This is the best way to insure that you do not 
accidentally "overwrite" a piece of valuable information. When 
you purchase a box of new diskettes you will receive a supply of 
small write protect stickers. If you wish to write protect a 
diskette, wrap one of these stickers around the edge of the 
diskette until the notch is covered on both sides of the 
diskette. If you want to write on the diskette again, simply 
remove the sticker. 

If you look closely at the front of the drive unit, you will see 
it has a small door which you can swing open with your fingers. 
To put a diskette into the drive, you should hold it with the 
label facing up and between your fingers. Slide the diskette 
into the drive. Notice that the oblong slot end should enter the 
drive first. It is important that you push the diskette into the 
drive all the way to insure proper registration between the 
diskette and the drive. With the diskette in the drive, you can 
now close the door. 

In the lower left hand corner of the front of the drive there is 
a small red light. This is called the "IN USE" indicator. Each 
time the computer accesses the disk drive this light will come on 
for a few seconds. Do not remove a diskette from a drive while 
this light is on. The data stored on the diskette could be 
altered or lost if this is done. 


4 



4 


INSTALLATION 


During the installation procedure you will be instructed when to 
turn the computer power on and when to turn it off. Never plug 
or unplug any cables or boards when power is on the computer. 
Costly damage will usually be the result. 

a. Turn the computer power off. 

b. Check the disk controller card to insure that the 
configuration jumper is connected across the right two 
pins . 

c. It is now time to connect the cable from the disk drive 
to the controller. There are two 20 pin connectors on 
the controller board labeled DRV1 and DRV2. If you 
have only one disk drive, you must connect that drive 
to the DRV1 connector. Notice that the disk cable 
connector is flat on one side and has a raised portion 
on the other side. Place the flat side of the 
connector against the controller circuit board and push 
the cable connector down onto the controller connector. 
Once attached, the flat cable should exit away from the 
controller board and should not be between the 
connector and the controller board • 

CAUTION - INSTALLING THE CABLE INCORRECTLY WILL CAUSE 
DAMAGE TO THE DISK DRIVE 

If you have a second disk drive, you can now connect it 
to the DRV2 connector. This cable should be installed 
just like the DRV1 cable. 

d. Remove the top from your computer. Install the disk 
controller card in slot number 6 of your computer. 
Slot 6 is the second connector from the right. The 
controller will work properly in any slot but number 
0. However the recommended position is number 6 for 
your first two drives, then slot 5 for your second 
disk controller with the third and fourth drives, then 
slot 4 for a third controller, etc. 

e. Install the top on your computer. 

This completes the installation of your disk drives. The 
physical location of your disk drives in relation to the computer 
and display monitor is important. The display monitor is an 
electro-magnetic device and it emits electrical signals which can 
interfere with the operation of the disk drives. It is best if 
you do not place the disk drives directly under or next to the 
display monitor. The usual placement is with the monitor on top 
of the computer and the disk drives on the table top next to the 
computer. 


5 



5 


PRELIMINARY CHECKOUT 


Install the Systems Master Diskette in the disk drive. Turn the 
computer power on. The drive activity light on the front of 
drive number 1 will turn on and you will hear some noise from 
within the drive. If there is no activity light, immediately 
turn power off and recheck your installation to be sure you have 
done it correctly. 

After a few seconds you will see a "HELLO” message and the 
computer will tell you it is loading an integer basic into 
memory. If this message is not displayed within a reasonable 
time, turn the computer power off. Remove the diskette and check 
to see that you have put it into the drive correctly. Reinstall 
the diskette and be sure it has seated properly in the drive. 
Turn the power on again to try the boot again. If the disk drive 
still does not boot properly and display the message, return the 
unit to your dealer for checkout. 

After a few more seconds, the computer will complete loading the 
integer basic and will display a "]" bracket with a flashing box 
next to it. This flashing box is called the "CURSOR". 

Type "CATALOG" and press the RETURN key. The computer will 
access the diskette and display a list of the programs which are 
on the systems master diskette. 


6 



6 . 


DISK OPERATING SYSTEM 


6.0 GENERAL 

Your new disk drive subsystem greatly expands the capabilities of 
your Franklin ACE computer. By increasing the amount of 
information that your computer can immediately access, you have 
opened up your system to a whole new world of applications. 
These new applications require software to control the storage 
and retrieval of information between the ACE and the disk 
subsystem. The program that controls the disk subsystem is 
called the Disk Operating System (DOS). The purpose of the DOS 
is to provide an easy to use set of commands to allow a 
programmer to access the information stored on the disk drives. 
Before we get too involved with the description of the DOS 
command set, it is best if we take a closer look at how DOS 
works• 

There are several DOS's available which will operate properly on 
your ACE computer and disk drive subsystem. For discussion 
purposes we will divide these into two categories - general 
purpose and special purpose DOS's. A general purpose DOS is one 
which will support many different application programs and 
several languages. Examples of this type are the DOS supplied 
with your disk drive subsystem, and a DOS called CP/M. 

Special purpose DOS's are usually part of an application program 
and are used only with that program. Some examples of special 
purpose DOS's which will operate on the ACE are VISICALC by 
VisiCorp, DB MASTER by Stoneware, THE DATA FACTORY by Micro-Lab, 
and many of the game programs which are distributed on individual 
diskettes. 

You might rightly wonder why there are so many different DOS's 
for the ACE computer. Keep in mind that you have purchased a 
general purpose computer system which can be used for many 
different applications. With a given application, a specific 
data organization on the diskette may be very efficient, while in 
another application that same data organization may be almost 
unuseable . 

For now, do not be too concerned about which general purpose DOS 
is best for you to use. For most purposes, the DOS provided with 
your disk subsystem will do an excellent job for you. As you 
become more experienced with your computer, you may want to 
evaluate other general purpose DOS's for their ease of use, the 
languages supported, the speed of disk access, versatility, cost 
effectiveness, and the number of application programs available. 
Depending on your application and your budget, one of the other 
general purpose DOS's may prove useful to you. 

The remainder of this section will attempt to describe the DOS 
provided with your disk unit. Since this is a general purpose 
DOS, the concepts discussed can broadly apply to other general 


7 



purpose DOS's as well. 

Most DOS's can be divided into three areas: the EQUIPMENT 

INTERFACE, the FILE MANAGER, and the USER INTERFACE. To take 
full advantage of a DOS you will only need to understand the USER 
INTERFACE. However, an overall understanding of the other two 
areas may be helpful. 

6.1 THE EQUIPMENT INTERFACE 

This section of DOS is usually called the RWTS (Read/Write 
Subroutines). This is the only section of DOS which communicates 
with the hardware. The functions performed by the RWTS are: 
drive selection, motor control, head seeking, and all of the read 
and write functions. This is also the section of DOS which 
determines the physical format of the diskette. 

Floppy disk subsystems divide the total diskette storage capacity 
into smaller areas called tracks and sectors. A track is similar 
to a groove on a record. However, on a floppy diskette the 
tracks do not spiral in toward the center. They are actually 
concentric bands beginning at the edge and moving toward the 
center of the diskette. Notice that the tracks get physically 
smaller as they get closer to the center of the 
diskette. 

With the ACE disk system, the tracks are .020 inches from center 
line to center line. Of this .020 inch area, only .012 inches 
contain the recorded information. The rest is erased to provide 
a guard band between tracks. The ACE disk drive can read and 
write 35 tracks per diskette. These tracks are numbered starting 
at the outside of the diskette and moving in toward the center. 
In other words, track 00 is the track farthest from the center of 
the diskette. The disk drive mechanism is capable of positioning 
the read head unit at any one of these tracks. 

Notice again that the higher numbered tracks (those closer to the 
center of the diskette) have a smaller circumference than the 
outside tracks. With the ACE disk system, the number of bits of 
information recorded on each track is approximately 50,000. This 
means that the length of a bit recorded on the inside track is 
smaller than a bit on the outside track. In fact, bits on the 
inside tracks are as small a-s .000180 inches, while the same bit 
on the outside track is .000280 inches. 

50,000 bits is equal to 6250 bytes per track. Although your 
computer can hold a large amount of information in memory, 
reading 6250 bytes per disk access would not be efficient. 
Therefore each track is further divided into smaller areas called 
sectors. The DOS provided with your disk system will read or 
write diskettes with 16 sectors of 256 bytes each per track. The 
number of sectors per track (16) times the number of tracks (35) 
will equal the number of sectors per diskette (560). Since each 
sector contains 256 bytes, the total disk capacaity is 143,360 
bytes of information. 


8 



The RWTS must be able to individually access any sector on the 
diskette. To accomplish this, each sector has an associated 
address which uniquely identifies that sector. The address field 
contains the track number, the sector number, and the diskette 
volume number. The RWTS uses this address information to locate 
the desired 256 byte sector. 

To use the RWTS a programmer or the DOS must build a table called 
an 10B ( Input/Output Block) and "Call" tfie RWTS. This table 
defines the controller slot number, the drive number, the track 
number, the sector number, the volume number, the memory buffer 
address, and the command (READ or WRITE). The RWTS uses this 
information to select the proper drive, makes sure the motor is 
up to speed, moves the READ/WRITE head to the appropriate track, 
and locates the sector. For a read command, the entire 256 byte 
sector is moved from disk to the addressed memory buffer. For a 
write command, the memory buffer is written to the correct sector 
on the diskette. 


6.2 THE FILE MANAGER 

The RWTS performs the function of moving a specific sector from 
the diskette to memory (READ) or from memory to the diskette 
(WRITE). As previously explained, the RWTS must be told which 
sector to address and where to put that sector in memory. The 
File Manager is the section of DOS which keeps track of what 
information is stored on each sector of the diskette. The File 
Manager does this by keeping a list of all of the files stored on 
the diskette. 

Before we continue, we should define a "File" and a few other 
terms which we will use. A program is a collection of commands 
(usually several bytes each) which the computer stores in its 
internal memory. The advantage of your disk drive subsystem is 
its ability to store the information permanently for future 
recall and use. Since the average program is only a few thousand 
bytes long and a diskette holds over 140,000 bytes, it would not 
be very efficient to store only one program per diskette. To 
overcome this limitation we have to introduce the concept of a 
"File". Simply stated, a file is a collection of related 
information stored in a logical area. Using a file cabinet as an 
example, each drawer can be considered as a diskette. Within 
each drawer there can be many file folders (files) with each file 
containing a collection of related information (records). 

The File Manager keeps track of the available sectors on the 
diskette with one sector called the VTOC (Volume Table of 
Contents). This sector contains a Bit per Sector Map of the 
diskette. Each sector on the diskette has a corresponding bit in 
the VTOC bit map. Sectors which are free to use have a 1 in 
their position in the bit map. When they are used, their bit in 
the map is changed to a 0, signifying that the sector is 
allocated. 


9 



To keep track of which sectors have been allocated to each file, 
the File Manager uses several sectors of the diskette as a 
Directory. The Directory is a list of all of the files which 
have been stored on the diskette. Each diskette has its own VTOC 
and Directory which pertain only to the information stored on 
that particular diskette. Each directory entry contains a name, 
a file type, and a pointer to a sector which contains a list of 
the other sectors which make up the file. 

To demonstrate how the File Manager works, the following example 
will show the sequence of events for a program "SAVE” operation 
and then a program "LOAD” operation. Assume that we have a 
program in memory ready to "SAVE" to a diskette. The operator 
must issue a "SAVE" command with a file name to the DOS (This 
will be explained further in section 6.3.5). The File Manager 
will build an IOB and issue a READ command to the RWTS specifying 
the directory sector. When the directory is in the computer 
memory, the File Manager will add the new file name to the 
directory and, using the VTOC bit map, find the next available 
sector on the diskette. This first sector will be used to store 
a list of the rest of the sectors in the file. Once a file name 
has been added to the directory and a track and sector list 
sector has been allocated, the File Manager will begin to move 
the program from memory to the diskette. The program will be 
stored on the diskette in 256 byte sectors. As each new sector 
is added to the file, it is removed from the VTOC bit map and 
added to the track and sector list. When the entire program has 
been stored on the diskette, the File Manager returns control of 
the computer to the operator. 

To load this program back into the computer memory, the operator 
must issue a LOAD command with the file name which was used to 
store the program on diskette. The File Manager accesses the 
directory and searches for the file name. When it finds the file 
name it extracts the track and sector list pointer and reads in 
the track and sector list. The File Manager then proceeds to 
load the program into memory using the track and sector list as a 
guide. 

In summary, the File Manager uses a number of sectors on the 
diskette to keep track of the names of files and where they are 
stored on the diskette. One sector is called the VTOC and it 
keeps track of which sectors have been used and which ones are 
still available. Another 15 sectors are used for the diskette 
directory. The directory contains the names of all of the files 
that have been stored on the diskette. Each individual file 
consists of at least one sector called the TRACK AND SECTOR LIST 
which contains a list of the rest of the sectors in the file. 
The actual information for each file is then stored in the 
sectors pointed at by the TRACK AND SECTOR LIST. 


10 



6.3 


THE USER INTERFACE 


This section of the DOS, as its name implies, communicates with 
both the computer operator and any programs which access the disk 
drives. This section deals more with specifics and less with 
general concepts. The general overview of the RWTS and the FILE 
MANAGER should help you to better understand the operation of the 
DOS. The rest of the information in this section should be read 
and understood thoroughly. To get the most out of your disk 
subsystem, you should become completely familiar with all of the 
DOS commands• 

6.3.1 BOOTING DOS 

Your ACE computer has a build in floating point BASIC language in 
ROM (READ ONLY MEMORY). ROM is a permanent type of memory in 
your computer which always retains the information stored there, 
whether the power is turned on or off. The floating point BASIC 
occupies about 1 2,000 bytes of ROM memory. In addition to the 
ROM memory, your computer has 64,000 (64K) of RAM (RANDOM ACCESS 
MEMORY). RAM is not permanent memory and information stored in 
it will be lost if power is turned off. 

’’Booting" DOS means to read DOS from the diskette into memory and 
giving DOS control of the computer. DOS always resides on tracks 
0, 1, and 2 of a diskette. The disk controller contains a small 
256 byte ’’boot” program capable of reading a few sectors from 
track 0. These first few sectors are called the first stage 
boot. Once in the computer memory, the first stage boot program 
is capable of reading in the remainder of DOS. To start the boot 
process, you must execute the 25 6 byte boot program on the disk 
controller. The is normally done when the power is first turned 
on. Notice that the disk drive activity light on the #1 drive 
will come on each time the power is turned on. The disk boot 
program can be executed at any time again by typing "PR #6” on 
the keyboard. This assumes that the disk controller is plugged 
into slot number 6. 

Once the boot process has started, the DOS will be loaded into 
RAM and linked to BASIC. The available space for BASIC programs 
is reduced by the size of DOS (about 10,000 bytes) and a whole 
new set of instructions are added to BASIC. 

You can boot from any slot which contains a disk controller, but 
you can only boot from drive number 1 connected to that 
controller. The auto boot feature of the ACE computer will start 
looking for a controller in slot 7, then slot 6, etc. It will 
boot from the first controller it encounters. 


6.3.2 GETTING STARTED 

Let's assume that you have just booted DOS. Your computer is in 
BASIC command mode and you can issue any of the standsrd BASIC 



commands, or you can write and execute a program. There is now a 
difference however in that your BASIC now contains a new set of 
commands. These are the DOS commands which will permit you to 
use your disk drives. In many respects a DOS command is just 
like any other computer command. It consists of a command word 
followed by several parameters. A major difference between a DOS 
and a BASIC command is that you cannot put multiple DOS commands 
on the same line separated by a colon. 

Many of the DOS commands have the same parameters. Rather than 
describe these parameters several times, they will be presented 
here at the beginning of the command descriptions. 

FILE NAME: In the description of the FILE MANAGER we 
explained the concept of a file. Each file on a diskette must 
have its own unique name. A file name consists of from 1 to 30 
characters. The name must begin with a letter and cannot contain 
a comma. If you put control characters into a file name, they 
will not be displayed even though they are part of the name. 

Any time you wish to access a file you must specify the exact 
file name. By adding, deleting or changing a single character in 
a file name you are referencing a different file. 

SLOT AND DRIVE NUMBER: DOS can address up to 14 disk drives. 
That is two drives per controller and seven controllers in slots 
1 through 7. To address any one of these drives, there are two 
optional parameters: S for slot number, and D for drive number. 
Unless a slot or drive parameter is issued, the DOS will default 
to the previously addressed drive. For example after booting DOS 
from slot 6, drive 1 DOS will assume all of the commands which 
follow are to slot 6, drive 1. This will be the case until a new 
S or D parameter is issued. 

When issued, the S parameter must be followed by a number from 1 
to 7, corresponding to the slot number for the new controller. 
If a slot without a controller is specified, an I/O ERROR will be 
the result. Now DOS will wait for the drive connected to this 
nonexistent controller to stop spinning. Usually the computer 
will wait forever for this to happen. Your only recourse will be 
to reset the computer and reboot DOS. 

The D parameter must be followed by the number 1 or 2. Selecting 
a nonexistent drive will cause an I/O ERROR but will not usually 
hang the computer. 

The S and D parameters are independent of each other and do not 
have to he issued together. If you wish to change drives on the 
same controller, you need only to issue a new D parameter. 
Likewise if you wish to change controllers and not the drive 
number, you need only issue the S parameter. When using both the 
S and D parameters, the order is not important. Either the S or 
the D may be issued first. 

The term "currently logged drive" means the drive which will be 


12 



accessed if no new S and D parameter is issued. 

VOLUME NUMBER: Up to now we have not explained the concept of 
volume numbers but we have mentioned them. If you remember is 
the description of the RWTS, we stated that the address field for 
each sector on the diskette contains its track number, sector 
number and volume number. A programmer may use the volume number 
to identify a specific diskette. The only time a volume number 
can be assigned to a diskette is when the diskette is first 
initialized (See the description of the INIT command). It cannot 
be changed without reinitializing the diskette. 

When you are initializing a diskette you may optionally specify a 

V parameter for the volume number. The V parameter must be in 
the range of VI to V254. If you do not specify a V parameter, 
DOS will assign a default volume number of 254. 

When you are using the rest of the DOS commands, if you include a 

V parameter DOS will not execute the command unless the volume 
number on the diskette matches the V parameter exactly. If you 
do not specify a V parameter, DOS will use VO which is a "wild 
card" and will force a match for any volume number which might be 
on the diskette. Likewise, specifying VO in a command will force 
a match for any volume number. 

If DOS encounters a volume mismatch, it will terminate the 
current command before it executes and print the error message 
"VOLUME MISMATCH”. 

6.3.3 FILE TYPES 

Sections 6.1 and 6.2 described the physical and logical 
organization of the diskette. You know that all of the 
information on the diskette is stored in physical 256 byte groups 
called sectors and the logical combination of these sectors make 
up a file. The value of DOS is in the ease with which we can 
create and manipulate these files. With DOS there are three 
different types of files; program files, binary files, and text 
files. 

Program files are used to store BASIC programs. To create a 
program file you will need to write the program and then save it 
out to disk with a command such as: 

SAVE X where X is the file name 

DOS will move your program in memory to the diskette and will add 
the name you specified to the diskette directory. The SAVE 
command could also have taken the form: 

SAVE X,Ss,Dd,Vv 

With this form of the command, X is the file name, S,D, and V are 
the optional slot, drive, and volume numbers. 


13 



Now that we have created a program file, let's do something with 
it. If you type the command RUN without a file name parameter, 
the computer will execute the program that is currently in 
memory. However, if we type RUN X, DOS will check the currently 
logged drive for the program named X and, if it finds it, will 
load it into memory and immediately execute it. If DOS does not 
find the file, it will respond with the error message "FILE NOT 
FOUND". 

We can now create any number of different program files by using 
different file names for each program we want to store on the 
diskette. To bring any of these programs into memory and execute 
them we need only type RUN X, where X is the program name. 

The other thing we might want to do with a program is to bring it 
into memory so that we can edit or change it. The DOS command 
LOAD X will bring program X into memory but not execute it. 

The three DOS commands we have just introduced are used to 
manipulate BASIC program files. There is a second type of 
program file which we referred to as a BINARY file. A BINARY 
file is a 6502 machine language file that is usually used by more 
advanced programmers. We will discuss BINARY files in more 
detail later in this section, but for now let's just introduce 
the DOS commands that are used with BINARY files. They are 
BSAVE, BRUN, and BRUN. As you can see, they have the same form 
as the LOAD, SAVE, and RUN commands but are preceded by a "B" to 
signify their use with BINARY files. 

The third type of a file is called a TEXT file. Up to this point 
the only things we could store on the diskette were programs. 
What if we want to store some data for a program? The data could 
be numbers like information in a payroll system. The data could 
also be words like a letter, messages, or an item list in an 
inventory system. For DOS to be really useful, it must allow us 
to store this type of information as well as programs. DOS 
stores this type of information in what we call a TEXT file. We 
will discuss TEXT files in more detail later. For now we will 
just introduce the TEXT file commands. These are as follows: 

OPEN 

CLOSE 

READ 

WRITE 

APPEND 

POSITION 

EXEC 


6.3.4 GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING 

If you boot a DOS diskette, DOS will load into memory and link 
itself into BASIC. This means that a new set of commands are 
added to BASIC which make the disk drives usuable. We know that 
we can store different types of information on the diskette in 


14 



different file types. In this section, we will describe seven 
new DOS commands that can be used with all three file types. 
They are as follows: 


CATALOG 

DELETE 

LOCK 

UNLOCK 

RENAME 

VERIFY 

INIT 

These seven commands have two things in common. First, none of 
these commands will alter the program memory. If you have a 
program in memory and you issue one of these commands, the 
program will not be changed at all. Second, all seven of these 
commands can use the optional SLOT, DRIVE, and VOLUME NUMBER 
parameters. 

CATALOG: This command allows the operator to see what is stored 

on a diskette. CATALOG is one of the few DOS commands which does 
not require a file name. When the operator types CATALOG, DOS 
will list all of the files which are on the diskette in the 
currently logged drive. In addition it will display other 
information as follows: 

LOCK/UNLOCK INDICATOR - a * means a file is locked. 

FILE TYPE - I means INTEGER program file, A means FLOATING 
POINT program file, B means BINARY program file, and T means 
a TEXT file. 

FILE LENGTH - the file lengty in sectors from 1 to 255. 
Files longer than 255 start over at 000. 

FILE NAME - The file name used except that control 
characters will not display. 

DISKETTE VOLUME NUMBER 

If more files are stored on the diskette than will fit on the 
monitor screen, DOS will display the first 20 files and then wait 
for the operator to hit a key. It will then display 20 more 
files and wait for a key again, and so forth until all of the 
files have been displayed. 

DELETE: This command is used to remove a file from a diskette 

and make the sectors that the file occupied available to other 
files. This is done by typing the command: 

DELETE X 

where X is the file name you wish to delete. DOS will remove 
that file from the directory and place the sectors used by the 
file back into the VTOC bit map so that they can be used by other 


15 



files 


LOCK/UNLOCK: If you spent several hours or days writing a 
program, the last thing you would want would be to accidentally 
erase or change that program. The LOCK command is used to write 
protect a particular file. When you issue the DOS command: 

LOCK X 

DOS will mark in the directory that file X cannot be erased or 
written to. The LOCK command has no effect on loading, running, 
or reading the file. Once a file is locked, the only way to 
change or erase the file is to first UNLOCK it. The DOS command: 

UNLOCK X 

will reset the directory flag to an unlocked state. Locked files 
are displayed by the CATALOG command with an * preceeding the 
file type• 

RENAME: Assume that you have written a program that seems to be 
working but you have decided to add some new features to it. 
When you are finished, you want to call the new version by the 
same name as the old version. However, as a precaution we want 
to save the old version, so we issue the DOS command: 

RENAME X,Y 

DOS will change our old file X to a new name Y. We now have the 
old version stored under the name Y and can use the name X for 
the new version. 

VERIFY: This command is used to check to see if the RWTS can 
successfully read all of the sectors in a file. If you are 
having a problem reading a diskette and are getting I/O errors, 
this command will find the bad sectors which the RWTS cannot 
read. The command tests for the ability to read a sector, not 
the validity of the information written there. If you have 
stored incorrect information in a file, it will verify as a good 
file. The form of the command is: 

VERIFY X 

If VERIFY encounters a bad sector, DOS will display the I/O error 
me s sage • 

INIT: We have told you many different things that DOS will 
allow you to do with your disk drives. All of these things 
assume that you are using a diskette already set up for DOS to 
use. If you use a brand new diskette and type the DOS command 
CATALOG, you would expect DOS to tell you that there are no files 
on the diskette. Actually, DOS will give you an I/O error. This 
is because the RWTS will not find any address fields (TRACK, 
SECTOR, VOLUME NUMBER, ETC.). This is where the INIT command is 
used. New diskettes must be INITialized before they are used. 


16 



Old diskettes that start to give you I/O errors can sometimes be 
relNITialized to eliminate the errors. 

To use the INIT command, you must first place a BASIC program 
into your computer memory. You can LOAD a program from another 
diskette or write a new one. This program will be the greeting 
or HELLO program. That means that when you boot this new 
diskette created by the INIT command, this HELLO program will be 
automatically executed. The DOS command; 

INIT X,Vv 

where X is the HELLO name will format all of the tracks with the 
proper address fields containing the TRACK, SECTOR, and VOLUME 
NUMBERS. It will then create the VTOC sector with the proper bit 
map configuration for a new diskette, create the empty directory 
sectors, move the DOS to tracks 0, 1, and 2, and finally it will 
SAVE the program you placed into memory under the file name X. 
The file X will become the greeting program. 

Keep in mind that the INIT command will totally erase a diskette 
in the process of initializing it. If you accidentally execute 
the INIT command while a valuable diskette is in the drive, you 
will lose all of the information on it. This is potentially your 
most dangerous command so you should be aware of the danger of 
using it. ° 

All of the seven commands we have described can be considered as 
housekeeping operations. All of the commands have the general 
form of : 


COMMAND X,Ss,Dd,Vv 

where X is a file name and S, D, and V are the optional SLOT, 
DRIVE and VOLUME NUMBER specifications. These commands are used 
very frequently and it is important that you become familiar with 
them. 

6.3.5 PROGRAM FILES 

We have generally described how to LOAD, SAVE, and RUN the BASIC 
program files. This section will give more detail pertaining to 
the use of these commands. 

SAVE X: This DOS command is used to move a BASIC program from 
the computer memory to a diskette file called X. The file type 
(INTEGER or FLOATING POINT) is defined by the program. If the 
file X does not exist on the diskette, DOS will create a file of 
that name and store the program in that file. If the file X 
already exists, DOS will automatically replace the contents of 
the file with this new memory image and will not inform the 
operator that the file X already existed. This is a potential 
problem because you can inadvertently overwrite a program file 
that you did not want to destroy. The LOCK command will prevent 
this problem. 


17 



If you attempt to save a program that is larger than the 
available disk space, DOS will respond with the error message 
"DISK FULL ERROR". To recover from this error, change diskettes 
to one with enough space or delete a file and make space 
-available on the current diskette. Either of these options will 
work. 

Do not worry about the program you have in memory. The SAVE 
command does not alter the contents of the program memory in any 
way. In fact it is a good idea to SAVE your programs 
periodically as you are writing them. To do this just type SAVE 
X and then go back to work on the program. 

The SAVE command can have the optional SLOT, DRIVE, and VOLUME 
paramet er s. 

LOAD X: This DOS command is used to move the contents of the 

program file X from the diskette into the computer memory. The 
file type must be either INTEGER or FLOATING POINT. If you 
attempt to LOAD a BINARY or TEXT file, DOS willl respond with the 
error message "FILE TYPE MISMATCH". If you attempt to load an 
INTEGER file without INTEGER being in memory, DOS will respond 
with the error message "LANGUAGE NOT AVAILABLE". Normally 
INTEGER is automatically loaded as you boot your systems disk. 
However, this may not be true with diskettes which you create. 

The LOAD command can have the optional SLOT, DRIVE, and VOLUME 
NUMBER parameters• 

RUN: This command is similar to the LOAD command, but after 

the program file has been loaded into the computer memory it will 
automatically be RUN. All of the restrictions for the LOAD 
command also apply to the RUN command. A RUN command will clear 
all of the program memory and then LOAD the new program. 

The RUN command may have the optional SLOT, DRIVE, and VOLUME 
NUMBER parameters. 

CHAIN: This is a new DOS command that has not been previously 

introduced. This command is virtually identical to the RUN 
command. It is used only with INTEGER BASIC programs. The major 
difference between RUN and CHAIN is that this command does not 
clear the variables before loading the new program. This means 
that you can write a very large INTEGER BASIC program in sections 
and then link these sections with the CHAIN command. The format 
of this command is the same as for the LOAD or RUN commands: 

CHAIN X 

where X is the file name. The same restrictions that apply to 
the LOAD and RUN commands apply to the CHAIN command. 

The CHAIN command can use the optional SLOT, DRIVE,, and VOLUME 
NUMBER parameters. 


18 



It is possible to get nearly the same effect in FLOATING POINT 
BASIC as you have with the INTEGER chain command. The difference 
is that variables will not pass to the new program. You can LOAD 
a new FLOATING POINT program from another by issuing a DOS RUN X 
command as the last statement in a program. This is described in 
Section 6.3.10. 

To truly CHAIN in a FLOATING POINT program, you will need to use 
a BINARY program called CHAIN. This is one of the programs on 
your Systems Master diskette. To use the CHAIN program, you must 
insert the following commands into your BASIC program: 

5000 PRINT CHR$ ( 4 ) ; ** BLOAD CHAIN, A520 ,f 

5005 CALL 520"X" 

These commands should be at the end of each program that is 
passing variables to the next program. The two line numbers can 
be any valid line numbers, but the two command lines must be 
sequential. The first line will BLOAD the binary program CHAIN 
into the computer memory. The file CHAIN must be on the same 
diskette as the new FLOATING POINT program. The second command 
line actually chains the two programs. The new file named X must 
be in quotes and must start immediately after the 520 without a 
space. 


6.3.6 BINARY FILES 

These types of files usually involve machine language programs. 
If you are strictly a BASIC programmer, then this area will be of 
only a general interest. If, however, you have an interest in 
assembly language, then this section is very important to you. 

DOS will not help you to write an assembly language program and 
to convert it to machine language. There are quite a number of 
programs on the market that will assist you in doing this. 
Dealing with this subject is beyond the scope of this manual. If 
you would like to pursue the subject, we suggest talking to your 
local computer dealer for assistance or suggestions. 

There are three commands that deal with BINARY files. They are 
BLOAD, BSAVE, and BRUN. These three commands are very similar to 
their BASIC program file counterparts LOAD, SAVE, and RUN. The 
DOS errors n F ILE TYPE MISMATCH* 1 , "FILE LOCKED**, "FILE NOT FOUND**, 
and "VOLUME MISMATCH** all pertain to BINARY files as well as 
BASIC files. 

BSAVE X, A$ 1000,L200: This DOS command is used to move a 
specific area of memory to the file X. The memory area must be 
explicitly stated in the command. The **A" parameter must specify 
the starting memory address which must be in the range of 0 to 
65535 and can be in decimal or hex. The $ designates a hex 
address. The "L" parameter is used to designate the length of 
the memory area to be saved. It must be in the range of 1 to 
32767. Again, the length can be stated in decimal or hex. 


19 



Both the A and L parameters must be specified or a DOS "SYNTAX 
ERROR" will result. If either of the parameters are not within 
the previously stated ranges, a DOS "RANGE ERROR" will result. 

The BSAVE command can contain the optional SLOT, DRIVE and VOLUME 
NUMBER parameters. 

BLOAD X, A$1000 : This command is used to move the BINARY file 

from the diskette to the computer memory. The A parameter is 
optional. If it is stated, the file will be loaded into memory 
starting at the specified address. If the parameter is not 
stated, then the file will be loaded at the address which was 
stated in the BSAVE command when the file was created. The 
number of bytes loaded by this command is always the same as the 
length parameter stated during the BSAVE command. 

This command can destroy the memory image of DOS if loaded into 
that area. If erratic disk drive operation occurs as a result of 
a BLOAD commanc, this may be the reason. 

The BLOAD command can have the optional SLOT, DRIVE, and VOLUME 
NUMBER parameters. 

BRUN X, A$1000: As with the RUN command, the BRUN command 

first BLOAD's a BINARY file and then executes it. All of the 
things we explained about BLOAD also pertain to BRUN. The 
optional A parameter becomes both the load address and the 
execute address. If the A parameter is omitted, the BRUN command 
will default to the address used when the file was stored on the 
diskette with the BSAVE command. 

The BRUN command can use the optional SLOT, DRIVE, and VOLUME 
NUMBER parameters. 

6.3.7 DOS ERROR MESSAGES 

Occasionally you will issue a command to DOS that is incorrect 
and will result in an error message being issued. When DOS 
errors are encounterd, they will usually terminate the current 
command and any program that is running and display the 
appropriate message. These messages are slightly different than 
those produced by INTEGER and FLOATING POINT BASICS. INTEGER 
errors are preceded by *** and FLOATING POINT errors by ???. DOS 
errors are not preceded by any special characters. The following 
table lists all of the DOS error messages and their code numbers: 

CODE MESSAGE 

1 LANGUAGE NOT AVAILABLE 

2,3 RANGE ERROR 

4 WRITE PROTECTED 

5 END OF DATA 

6 FILE NOT FOUND 

7 VOLUME MISMATCH 


20 



8 

I/O ERROR 

9 

DISK FULL 

10 

FILE LOCKED 

11 

SYNTAX ERROR 

12 

NO BUFFERS AVAILABLE 

13 

FILE TYPE MISMATCH 

14 

PROGRAM TOO LARGE 

15 

NOT DIRECT COMMAND 


All of the messages are explained below. 

LANGUAGE NOT AVAILABLE: There are two types of BASIC programs, 
INTEGER and FLOATING POINT. If you attempt to access a file 
without the proper BASIC in your computer this error will be 
displayed. The DOS commands FP and INT can be used to change the 
language being used. Section 6.3.17 describes these commands. 


RANGE ERROR: 

either too large or too small, 
parameter are: 


This error occurs when a command parameter is 

The proper ranges for each 


PARAMETER 


LETTER 


MIN 


MAX 


Slot 

Drive 

Volume 

Byte 

Relative Field 
Absolute Field 
Record Length 
Record Number 
Starting Address 
Number of Bytes 


S 

D 

V 

B 

R 

R 

L 

R 

A 

L 


1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 


7 

2 

254 

32K 

32K 

32K 

32K 

32K 

64K 

32K 


COMMAND 


MIN 


MAX 


PR# 

IN# 

MAXFILES 


0 

0 

1 


7 

7 

16 


32K is defined as 32,767 
64K is defined as 65,535 

All DOS parameters must fall into the range of 0 to 65,535. If a 
number is outside of this range, a DOS SYNTAX ERROR will result. 

WRITE PROTECTED: This error occurs when DOS attempts to write 
to a drive that has the diskette write protect notch covered. 
See Section 3, Familiarization, for more information. 


END OF DATA: This error can only occur when a program is 
reading a text file. For sequential text files, this means that 
the program has read (using GET or INPUT) past the last character 
in the file, the B (Byte) parameter has specified a byte beyond 
the last character stored in the file, or the R parameter for a 


21 



POSITION command has positioned past the last field in the file. 

With random access files this error can mean one of two things. 
First, DOS is attempting to read (with the GET or INPUT) a 
portion of a record which has never been written. This can be 
caused by issuing too many GET or INPUT commands for a specific 
record, or by using the B parameter with a value greater than the 
number of characters that have been stored in the record. 
Second, DOS is attempting to read a record beyond the end of the 
file. This can occur by specifying an R parameter with a value 
that moves the record pointer past the last record in the file. 

Finally, this error can occur if the R parameter with the EXEC 
command specifies the second field past the end of the file. 

FILE NOT FOUND: This error is caused by attempting to access 
a spedific file and that file is not on the addressed diskette. 
The commands SAVE, BSAVE, INIT, and OPEN can create files and 
will not respond with a FILE NOT FOUND error. 

VOLUME MISMATCH: If a DOS command specifies a non zero V 
parameter and the volume number of the addressed diskette is not 
the same as the V parameter, a VOLUME MISMATCH error occurs. 

I/O ERROR: This is a message from the RWTS which indicates 
that the last attempted data transfer between the computer and 
the disk drive was in error. This can occur because the RWTS was 
unsuccessful in locating the proper address field or because the 
internal data check characters for a data sector were incorrect 
for that data sector. 

DISK FULL: Any DOS command that can add information to the 
diskette can cause this error. This error occurs when the DOS 
FILE MANAGER needs another sector for a file and there are no 
more sectors left on the diskette. If this occurs, the file 
which needed the next sector is incomplete and the operator must 
make more room on this or another diskette to save all of the 
informa tion. 

FILE LOCKED: Attempting to delete or write to a file which is 
locked will result in a FILE LOCKED message. 

SYNTAX ERROR: This error occurs when DOS encounters a command 
with a bad file name, a bad parameter symbol, a missing mandatory 
parameter, or a missing or incorrect separator. 

NO BUFFERS AVAILABLE: This error occurs when a program is 
using text files and the program attempts to OPEN more files than 
the MAXFILES command has allocated. Upon booting, DOS defaults 
to three open file buffers. The MAXFILES command is used to 
change the number of available open files. Section 6.3.17 
describes MAXFILES. 

FILE TYPE MISMATCH: This error is caused when a DOS command 
attempts to use a file whose file type does not agree with the 


22 



command. Section 6.3.3 describes which file types can be used 
with each command. 

PROGRAM TOO LARGE: As the name implies, this error occurs when 
DOS is attempting to load a program into memory and finds 
insufficient memory available. This can be caused by an operator 
or program leaving the HIMEM set too low. 

NOT DIRECT COMMAND: This error occurs when the operator attempts 
to use a text file command (OPEN, READ, WRITE, APPEND, or 
POSITION) in the immediate execution mode. 

6.3.8 USING DOS COMMANDS FROM BASIC 

So far we have introduced eleven DOS commands and have showed you 
how to use these as direct commands. This is one which you would 
issue from outside a program. There are also times when you may 
want to issue a command from within a BASIC program. To do this, 
you use a PRINT statement with the following format: 

50 PRINT D$;"CATALOG” 

This type of a statement can occur anywhere in your program, but 
for correct operation D$ must be previously defined. The 
character string D$ is a single character string containing a 
Control D. You can create this string in floating point BASIC 
with the following statement: 

20 D$ = CHR$(4) :REM CHR$(4) IS A CONTROL D 

To create this string for INTEGER BASIC, use the following 
statement: 

20 D$ = " " :REM THIS IS A TRANSPARENT CONTROL D 

With this format, you must put the Control D between the quotes. 
Do this by holding the control key down and pressing the D key. 
Even though the character is there, it will not be displayed on 
your screen since control characters do not display. 

The Control D informes DOS that this PRINT command is not to go 
to the monitor screen but is to be executed as a DOS command. 

As an example, if you want your hello program to do a CATALOG 
after the boot is completed, add the following lines to the end 
of your program: 

10 D$ = "" : REM THE CONTROL D IS WITHIN THE QUOTES 
20 PRINT D$;"CATALOG" 

30 END 

Only one DOS command can be placed on each program line. The 
previous PRINT command must have ended with a RETURN. In other 
words, a semicolon (;) cannot be used to terminate 


23 



SOFTSECTOR MAPPING 



SECTOR 


EXPANDED SECTOR VIEW 


DATA: 

35 TRACKS 
16 SECTORS 
256 BYTES/SECTOR 


Figure 1. Floppy Disk Surface. 


24 



TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 




FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


7030 Colonial Highway 

BULLETIN #: DSK-001 DATE: 08/01/82 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 

SUBJECT: FLOPPY DISK ANALOG MODIFICATION 609-488-1700 


SYMPTOM: 

The floppy disk subsystem will appear to operate flawlessly until 
a diskette which has never before been used in any system (or in 
other words it is completely blank or brand new) is to be 
formatted in the floppy disk drive using either APPLE PASCAL or 
CP/M. The system will return an error similar to "DISK NUMBER x 
IS NOT ONLINE" from PASCAL or "BDOS ERR ON x: BAD SECTOR" from 
CP/M, where x is the disk drive in question. If the diskette has 
been previously used, then the error will not occur. 

CORRECTIVE ACTION: 

The problem will be found on the ANALOG PCB located inside the 
floppy disk drive case attached to the top of the unit. Only 
older ANALOG PCB's manufactured for FRANKLIN COMPUTER CORP. by 
MICRO-SCI CORP. with the part number 1000 0041A are affected. 
The later revisions of the ANALOG PCB's from MICRO-SCI with part 
number 1000 0041B and from FRANKLIN COMPUTER with part number 
4039000 already incorporate these changes. To upgrade a MICRO- 
SCI PCB #1000 0041A to the later revision level proceed as 
follows: 


1. Remove RESISTOR R19 (270 ohms, 1/4W) and discard 

2. Remove RESISTOR R16 (270 ohms, 1/4W) and discard 

3. Remove CAPACITOR Cll (1000 pF) and discard 

4. Install RESISTOR 4.7K ohms (1/4W, 5%) in location R16 

5. Jumper from U6 pin-10 to U6 pin-13 


These changes are already in the logic diagrams from FRANKLIN 
COMPUTER CORPORATION. 




TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 



FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 


7030 Colonial Hiqhwav 

BULLETIN #2 DSK-002 DATE: 09/30/82 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 

SUBJECT: ACE 10 SUBSYSTEM ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES 609-488-1700 


1. INTRODUCTION 

Errors when reading or writing diskettes can be caused by a 
number of factors. These include incorrect operating procedures, 
faulty programming, damaged diskettes, airborne contaminates, 
electrical interference, and misaligned disk drives. This 
Bulletin will deal with those problems associated with mechanical 
and electrical misalignment of the disk drive and controller 
units • 

2. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 

A. Franklin ACE Computer and monitor. 

B. Franklin ACE 10 Disk Drive with Controller. 

C. Dual trace oscilloscope with 2 probes. 

D. Dealer Diagnostic Diskette. 

E. Alignment Diskette (Dysan 208/10 or equivalent). 

F. Blank diskette. 

3. SETUP 

Install the computer, monitor, and the disk drive sub assembly in 
the normal manner. Leave the computer top cover off to allow 
access to the disk controller. Place the monitor and disk drive 
to the side of the computer. Remove the disk drive cover 
assembly and the disk drive bottom plate. 

If you are using an oscilloscope in this procedure, connect the 
scope probes and turn the power on. 

4. DISK CONTROLLER ADJUSTMENT 

Connect a disk drive to the drive 1 position of the disk 
controller. Jumper the two left pins of J4 together (SEE FIGURE 
3). Do not disturb the two right pins. They must also be 
jumpered together. 

Apply power to the computer. The computer will initialize and 
the floating point basic prompt will be displayed. 

Type the following: 


CALL 50688 (RETURN) 
AAW (RETURN) (ESC) 



Connect the oscilloscope A channel probe to U7 pin 5 on the disk 
controller. Adjust R1 on the disk controller for a pulse width 
of 5.4 micro seconds. 

Type the following: 

99W (RETURN) (ESC) 

Connect the oscilloscope A channel probe to U7 pin 13 on the disk 
controller. Adjust R2 on the disk controller for a pulse width 
of 3.8 micro seconds. 

5. DISK MOTOR SPEED ADJUSTMENT 

The disk drive motor speed can be adjusted in two ways. The 
speed can be set by visually observing the timing disk on the 
bottom of the drive under flourescent lighting, or it can be set 
with the use of the Dealer Diagnostic Diskette. 

A. VISUAL ADJUSTMENT 

Position the drive so that the strobe disk on the bottom can 
be seen (you must be in an area lighted by flourescents for 
this procedure to be effective). 

Install a blank diskette and start the drive motor by 
selecting the drive. This can be done by asking for a 
catalog of the diskette or by momemtarily turning the 
computer power off and on. 

Adjust the pot on the small PC board mounted on the rear of 
the disk drive using a small flat screwdriver. Turn the pot 
until the outside band of dark lines appears motionless. 

B. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC SPEED ADJUSTMENT 

Install the Dealer Diagnostic Diskette in the disk drive and 
reset the computer to boot the diskette. The monitor screen 
will clear and display the diagnostic menu. Select the disk 
tests from the menu. A secondary disk menu will then be 
displayed. Replace the diagnostic diskette with a blank 
initialized diskette. Select the speed test from the 
secondary menu. The drive under test will activate and the 
speed of the drive, in miliseconds, will be displayed. 
Adjust the pot on the rear of the disk drive for a displayed 
setting of 200 ms. 

6. CARRIAGE LIMIT ADJUSTMENT 

A. Remove the disk drive analog card and set it aside. 

B. Rotate the head cam actuator until the zero detent 
dimple is directly oposite and centered on the cam 
follower. Move the head carriage forward until the 
ball in the cam follower drops into the zero detent. 


2 



With the assembly in this position, adjust the carriage 
limiter for a clearance of .020 inch between the 
carriage limiter and the motor shaft stop. See figure 
1A. 

C. The proper setting can be verified by rotating the head 
cam actuator until the motor shaft stop and the 
carriage limiter are touching. At this position, the 
relationship of the cam follower to the zero detent 
should be as shown in figure IB. 

7. WRITE PROTECT 

Boot on the Dealer Diagnostic diskette and select the write 
protect test from the secondary disk menu. While inserting and 
removing the diskette, observe that the write protect status on 
the monitor is HIGH with the diskette inserted all the way in the 
drive and LOW if you move the diskette from its fully inserted 
position. Repeat this test a few times to insure that the status 
is always correct. Adjust the switch if necessary. 

8. AZIMUTH TEST 

A. Connect the oscilloscope probes to TP1 and TP2 as shown 
in figure 2. Connect a ground from the scope to the - 
(minus) side of C14. Set the scope controls to measure 
differential signals (A 4- B with the B channel 
inverted). Make certain that both A and B channels are 
set to the same volts per division. 

B. Boot the computer on the Dealer Diagnostic diskette. 

C. Remove the Dealer Diagnostic diskette and insert the 
Alignment Diskette. 

D. Select the AZIMUTH test from the disk test submenu. 

E. Adjust the oscilloscope so that a steady display is 
shown. The display should look similar to those shown 
in Figure 4. The display labeled A is the ideal 
condition, however the other three displays are also 
acceptable. If the drive produces a display with the 
first or fourth bursts larger than the second or third, 
the drive does not have an acceptable azimuth reading. 

NOTE: THIS IS A GO - NO GO TEST. IF ACCEPTABLE AZIMUTH IS 

NOT DISPLAYED, THE DRIVE SHOULD BE RETURNED TO FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION. 

9. RADIAL ALIGNMENT 

A. Boot the computer on the Dealer Diagnostic diskette. 

B. Select the ALIGNMENT test from the disk submenu. 


3 



Remove the Dealer Diagnostic diskette and insert the 
Alignment Diskette. 

With the scope probes connected as for paragraph 8, 
adjust the scope to give a steady display of at least 
two lobes as shown in figure 5. A time base of 10 
msec/div will usually give the proper display. 


The optimum display is shown in figure 5B where both 
lobes are of equal amplitude. If one lobe is smaller 
and is not within 80% the size of the larger lobe, an 
adjustment will be necessary. 


With the drive still running, carefully turn the disk 
drive on its side. Locate the two slotted screws 
holding the stepper motor to the chassis of the drive 
and loosen them slightly. While observing the 
oscilloscope display, rotate the stepper motor 
carefully until the two lobes are equal in size. 
Tighten the two screws and observe that the two lobes 
are still the same size. Loosen and adjust as 
ne cessary. 

Check the alignment by first pressing the right arrow 
key and then the left arrow key. If the lobes are not 
still not within 80% of each other the drive will have 
to be realigned and checked again. It may be necessary 
to split the difference in the error to remain within 
the 80% limit. The final oscilloscope display should 
look like figure 5B. 

NOTE: THE POTENTIOMETER ADJUSTMENT ON THE DISK DRIVE 

ANALOG CARD IS FOR WRITE CURRENT TO THE HEAD ASSEMBLY. 
THIS POT ADJUSTMENT IS CURRENTLY A FACTORY ONLY 
ADJUSTMENT. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE THE 
SETTING OF THIS POT. 




"ZERO" DETENTE 







Figure 2. ACE 10 Disk Analog Board. 


6 








































7 


Figure 3. ACE 10 Disk Controller. 

































































C D 

Figure 4. ACE 10 Floppy Disk Azimuth Test. 


± 


NO GREATER THAN 
10% OF MAX. AMPLITUDE 




T 

MAXIMUM AMPLITUDE 



Figure 5. ACE 10 Floppy Disk Radial Alignment. 


8 



































































































































































TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN 

FRANKLIN 

COMPUTER CORPORATION 

flTTTTTlfnT .. 7030 Colonial Highway 

BULLETIN #: SOF-OOl DATE: 06/22/82 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 

SUBJECT: APPLEWRITER MODIFICATION 609-488-1700 


The AppleWriter text processor program, if run unmodified, will 
not display numbers and some punctuation properly. The following 
modification will correct this problem and also allow true upper 
lower case entry from the keyboard. With the AppleWriter disk in 
drive number 1, do the following from BASIC: 

]BLOAD TEDITOR,D1 
]CALL -151 
*09E6:20 57 18 EA 
*0AE6 : 20 50 18 

* 1505 :4C 62 18 

*1532:EA EA DO DF 20 01 15 48 
*1549:20 4A IB 

*1820:C9 E0 90 02 29 BF C9 CO 
*: 90 02 09 20 C9 40 B0 04 

*:49 20 69 A0 60 C9 E0 90 

*:03 29 DF 60 C9 CO 90 03 

*:29 IF 60 C9 A0 90 ED 09 

*:40 60 20 20 IB 4C F0 FD 

*: 20 20 18 91 28 C8 60 A5 

*:10 C9 E0 90 02 29 DF C9 

*:C9 60 4B A5 0B DO 04 68 

*:29 3F 60 68 4C 35 18 

*UNL0CK TEDITOR 
*BSAVE TEDITOR,A$803,L$1070 
*L0CK TEDITOR 

* BLOAD PRINTER 

* 109D:4C 35 18 

* 1 ODD:20 4A 18 
*10CA:EA EA 

* 1820:C9 E0 90 02 29 BF C9 CO 

*:90 02 09 20 C9 40 B0 04 

*:49 20 60 A0 60 C9 E0 90 

*:03 29 DF 60 C9 CO 90 03 

*:29 IF 60 C9 A0 90 ED 09 

*:40 60 20 20 18 4C F0 FD 

*:20 20 18 91 28 C8 60 A5 

*:10 C9 E0 90 02 29 DF C9 

*:C9 60 

*UNL0CK PRINTER 

*BSAVE PRINTER,A$803,L$1060 

*L0CK PRINTER 



The disk now contains a lower case version of AppleWriter.